Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsBAP vs. ASDDiagnosisGenetics
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Characteristics
BAP vs. ASD
Diagnosis
Genetics
The broad autismphenotype(BAP) describes a range of autistic traits that are considered subclinical. That means they are not significant enough to qualify for a diagnosis ofautism spectrum disorder.
BAP, also called the broader autism phenotype,is controversial. Some autistic self-advocates and experts see it as either existing in conflict or in harmony with the neurodiversity model.
For adiagnosis of autism spectrum disorder,specific social, verbal, nonverbal, relational, behavioral, and sensorial criteria must be met. However, people with BAP may have traits from a few or all of the categories, with little to no need for support.
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This article explains the broad autism phenotype and the traits associated with it. It also discusses how BAP is identified and how it differs from autism.
Understanding the Three Levels of Autism
What Are Broader Autism Phenotype Characteristics?
A phenotype is a set of observable characteristics or traits. Individuals with the broader autism phenotype haveautistic traitsthat do not greatly interfere with an individual’s quality of life.
BAP is not an official diagnosis. Instead, it describes a cluster of traits. These traits can show up differently in each individual.
People with BAP show social, non-verbal, verbal, behavioral, sensorial, and relational signs of autism, but not enough to trigger a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They can often pass for allistic or neurotypical (non-autistic) and have little to no support needs.
Broad autism phenotype symptoms and traits may include:
How BAP Differs From Autism
Unlike an official autism diagnosis, where specific criteria must be met, BAP has much more wiggle room in terms of how it manifests. Characteristics of BAP and traits of autism both appear within the first year of a person’s life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder vs. Broad Autism PhenotypeAutism Spectrum DisorderRepetitive speech patterns and idiosyncratic phrasesMay have reading comprehension difficultiesPersistent difficulties in social/emotional interactions and communicationInflexible and ritualized verbal and non-verbal behaviorsHighly fixated, rigid, inflexible interestsBroad Autism PhenotypeMay have delayed languageMay have difficulty with reading and spellingMay take a long time to put together thoughtsMay show rigid thinking and prefer routineMay fixate on objects/interests
Autism Spectrum Disorder vs. Broad Autism Phenotype
Autism Spectrum DisorderRepetitive speech patterns and idiosyncratic phrasesMay have reading comprehension difficultiesPersistent difficulties in social/emotional interactions and communicationInflexible and ritualized verbal and non-verbal behaviorsHighly fixated, rigid, inflexible interests
Repetitive speech patterns and idiosyncratic phrases
May have reading comprehension difficulties
Persistent difficulties in social/emotional interactions and communication
Inflexible and ritualized verbal and non-verbal behaviors
Highly fixated, rigid, inflexible interests
Broad Autism PhenotypeMay have delayed languageMay have difficulty with reading and spellingMay take a long time to put together thoughtsMay show rigid thinking and prefer routineMay fixate on objects/interests
May have delayed language
May have difficulty with reading and spelling
May take a long time to put together thoughts
May show rigid thinking and prefer routine
May fixate on objects/interests
It is presently impossible to differentiate between BAP and what some people refer to as “high-functioning” autism, leading to some skepticism of the legitimacy of BAP as separate from ASD.
This may be due tomasking, a coping mechanism autistic people use to survive in an ableist world. Masking—literally hiding or suppressing autistic traits—can help an autistic person present clinically as BAP, leading to missed autism diagnoses.
What Is the Female Autism Phenotype?
How Is the Broad Autism Phenotype Diagnosed?
Broad autism phenotype is not an official diagnosis. To assess you for BAP traits, your healthcare provider or mental health clinician may ask you to take tests like the Social Responsiveness Scale or the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire.
The broad autism phenotype questionnaire is a list of 36 questions about social, verbal, non-verbal, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Each item has a rating scale to help identify traits of the BAP.
You may answer the test alone or fill it out with the help of your provider. People using the questionnaire are asked to rank themselves on a scale of 1-5 on such statements as:
Unfortunately, the results of these evaluative questionnaires can vary radically. Because BAP isn’t an official diagnosis, it can be difficult to know if you express it.
Working with a healthcare provider or mental health clinician whom you know and trust can help give you insight into the traits or realities you’re experiencing.
Does BAP qualify a child for an IEP?A child will not likely qualify for an IEP, or an individualized education program, if they have the broad autism phenotype. However, children diagnosed as autistic may be eligible for an IEP or other services.
Does BAP qualify a child for an IEP?
A child will not likely qualify for an IEP, or an individualized education program, if they have the broad autism phenotype. However, children diagnosed as autistic may be eligible for an IEP or other services.
Can You Be Diagnosed as Autistic if You Have BAP?
Traits of autism can show up within the first year of a person’s life.An individual with autism may present with BAP traits that do not rise to the levels of ASD when young.
Later on, when the challenges of school or work increase, a person with BAP may qualify for an autism diagnosis. This can occur because chronic stress can result inautistic burnout, which leaves people with skill regression and less capacity to mask.
But, it’s also important to keep in mind that many people have BAP traits and will not go on to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Is BAP Genetic?
Studies have shown a very strong genetic, or hereditary, component with the BAP. Specifically, studies show that:
Summary
The broad autism phenotype describes a range of autistic traits that do not rise to the level of an official ASD diagnosis. People with BAP may have social, communication, behavioral, sensorial, and relational signs of autism, but not to the extent that requires support.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Godoy-Giménez M, González-Rodríguez A, Estévez AF, Cañadas F, Sayans-Jiménez P.Applying a Rasch model to the broad autism phenotype questionnaire: item severity analysis and differential test functioning of the English and Spanish versions.Curr Psychol.2022;42:17700–14. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02789-6Rubenstein E, Chawla D.Broader autism phenotype in parents of children with autism: a systematic review of percentage estimates.J Child Fam Stud. 2018;27(6):1705–20. doi:10.1007/s10826-018-1026-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W.The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: a narrative review.Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;7:306–17. doi:10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9Sasson NJ, Lam KSL, Childress D, Parlier M, Daniels JL, Piven J.The broad autism phenotype questionnaire: prevalence and diagnostic classification: the BAPQ in a large community-based sample.Autism Res. 2013;6(2):134–43. doi:10.1002/aur.1272Nemours KidsHealth.Individualized education programs (IEPs).Dong L, Wang Y, Wang X, et al.Interactions of genetic risks for autism and the broad autism phenotypes.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1110080. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110080
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Godoy-Giménez M, González-Rodríguez A, Estévez AF, Cañadas F, Sayans-Jiménez P.Applying a Rasch model to the broad autism phenotype questionnaire: item severity analysis and differential test functioning of the English and Spanish versions.Curr Psychol.2022;42:17700–14. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02789-6Rubenstein E, Chawla D.Broader autism phenotype in parents of children with autism: a systematic review of percentage estimates.J Child Fam Stud. 2018;27(6):1705–20. doi:10.1007/s10826-018-1026-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W.The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: a narrative review.Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;7:306–17. doi:10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9Sasson NJ, Lam KSL, Childress D, Parlier M, Daniels JL, Piven J.The broad autism phenotype questionnaire: prevalence and diagnostic classification: the BAPQ in a large community-based sample.Autism Res. 2013;6(2):134–43. doi:10.1002/aur.1272Nemours KidsHealth.Individualized education programs (IEPs).Dong L, Wang Y, Wang X, et al.Interactions of genetic risks for autism and the broad autism phenotypes.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1110080. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110080
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Godoy-Giménez M, González-Rodríguez A, Estévez AF, Cañadas F, Sayans-Jiménez P.Applying a Rasch model to the broad autism phenotype questionnaire: item severity analysis and differential test functioning of the English and Spanish versions.Curr Psychol.2022;42:17700–14. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02789-6Rubenstein E, Chawla D.Broader autism phenotype in parents of children with autism: a systematic review of percentage estimates.J Child Fam Stud. 2018;27(6):1705–20. doi:10.1007/s10826-018-1026-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W.The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: a narrative review.Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;7:306–17. doi:10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9Sasson NJ, Lam KSL, Childress D, Parlier M, Daniels JL, Piven J.The broad autism phenotype questionnaire: prevalence and diagnostic classification: the BAPQ in a large community-based sample.Autism Res. 2013;6(2):134–43. doi:10.1002/aur.1272Nemours KidsHealth.Individualized education programs (IEPs).Dong L, Wang Y, Wang X, et al.Interactions of genetic risks for autism and the broad autism phenotypes.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1110080. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110080
Godoy-Giménez M, González-Rodríguez A, Estévez AF, Cañadas F, Sayans-Jiménez P.Applying a Rasch model to the broad autism phenotype questionnaire: item severity analysis and differential test functioning of the English and Spanish versions.Curr Psychol.2022;42:17700–14. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02789-6
Rubenstein E, Chawla D.Broader autism phenotype in parents of children with autism: a systematic review of percentage estimates.J Child Fam Stud. 2018;27(6):1705–20. doi:10.1007/s10826-018-1026-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W.The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: a narrative review.Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;7:306–17. doi:10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9
Sasson NJ, Lam KSL, Childress D, Parlier M, Daniels JL, Piven J.The broad autism phenotype questionnaire: prevalence and diagnostic classification: the BAPQ in a large community-based sample.Autism Res. 2013;6(2):134–43. doi:10.1002/aur.1272
Nemours KidsHealth.Individualized education programs (IEPs).
Dong L, Wang Y, Wang X, et al.Interactions of genetic risks for autism and the broad autism phenotypes.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1110080. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110080
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