Alexithymia may explain the genetic relationship between autism and sensory sensitivity.

ABSTRACT: Sensory symptoms are highly prevalent amongst autistic individuals and are now considered in the diagnostic criteria. Whilst evidence suggests a genetic relationship between autism and sensory symptoms, sensory symptoms are neither universal within autism nor unique to autism. One explanation for the heterogeneity within autism and commonality across conditions with respect to sensory symptoms, is that it is alexithymia (a condition associated with difficulties identifying and describing one's own emotions) that has a genetic relationship with sensory symptoms, and that alexithymia commonly co-occurs with autism and with several other conditions. Using parent-reports of symptoms in a sample of adolescent twins, we sought to examine the genetic association between autism, alexithymia and se

SUBMITTER: Yorke I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11882979 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature