Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome often receive a diagnosis of autism and high rates of autistic characteristics have been reported. However, due to differences in methods used by studies, the reported rates of autism range between 50-93%.

In 2011, Chris Oliver and colleagues, reported that approximately 7 out of 10 individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome showed clusters of autism characteristics. However, only 4 out of 10 reached the cut-off for an autism diagnosis. The research also showed that rates of autism were not notably different (i.e. higher or lower) than in other genetic syndromes.

You can read and download the 2011 paper here

Rates of autism in Smith-Magenis syndrome may be the result of the intellectual disability associated with the syndrome, rather than a characteristic of the syndrome itself. An autism diagnosis in Smith-Magenis syndrome may also be due to language abnormalities and repetitive behaviours. However, not all professionals agree on these associations.