Do Parental Comorbidities Affect the Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by defective social communication and interaction with a repetitive pattern of monotonous or stereotyped behavior. Although the exact etiology of ASD is unknown, many factors may be implicated in the development of ASD. We aimed to determine the correlation between specific parental factors and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Prince Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Center for Autism, Autism Center for Excellence, and Academy of Special Education for Autism in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We enrolled children diagnosed with ASD and their parents from these centers. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires to the patients' parents. Results All included children were