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Autistic Traits Linked to Increased PTSD Risk by Age 18

10/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

By age 18, children with more autistic traits show higher PTSD risk.
Data come from 1,504 participants in the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study.
The link persists after covariate adjustment.
Higher autistic traits relate to mental health issues and impairment in adulthood.
Limitations include parent-reported traits and retrospective trauma reporting; future work should replicate findings in clinically diagnosed autistic individuals.

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Story summary

By age 18, children with more autistic traits show higher PTSD risk.
Data come from 1,504 participants in the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study.
The link persists after covariate adjustment.
Higher autistic traits relate to mental health issues and impairment in adulthood.
Limitations include parent-reported traits and retrospective trauma reporting; future work should replicate findings in clinically diagnosed autistic individuals.