Multistage screening process for neurodevelopmental disorders in siblings of children with autism: the FRATSA protocol study.

Researchers are planning a study to test a screening process for developmental concerns in brothers and sisters of autistic children. They know that siblings have higher chances of having developmental differences. The study will use online questionnaires filled out by parents, followed by interviews if needed. They want to see if this screening process works well and if families find it helpful.

This is a protocol paper describing the FRATSA study design to test a two-stage screening process for neurodevelopmental disorders in siblings of autistic children. The study plans to screen 384 siblings using online parent questionnaires (Stage 1), followed by clinical interviews for those screening positive (Stage 2). The primary outcome is feasibility and acceptability of this screening approach. The protocol includes 12-month follow-up to assess diagnostic outcomes and parent satisfaction.

This represents a systematic approach to addressing the known elevated rates of neurodevelopmental conditions in autism siblings, but no results are yet available as this is a protocol paper.

While no results are available, this protocol addresses an important clinical need for systematic screening of autism siblings. If successful, this approach could inform development of standardized screening protocols for identifying neurodevelopmental conditions in high-risk sibling populations.

This is a protocol paper with no results reported. The study design relies on parental self-report measures and voluntary participation with expected 50% participation rate, which may introduce selection bias.

The elevated rates of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) among siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) raise concerns about their developmental monitoring and development. The main aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a standardised screening process on a large sample of siblings. This prospective study will assess the feasibility of a selective and multi-stage screening process for NDD performed on 384 siblings of children with confirmed ASD. Stage 1 will consist of the screening of NDD performed using online parental questionnaires (Social Responsiveness Scale, IdentiDys scale, DCDQ, parental concerns) through a web platform.

In cases of a positive result, the second stage, consisting of a clinical semi-structured interview with a psychologist, will be proposed to the sibling before referral for diagnosis and treatment, if necessary. Approximately 12 months after stage 2, parents will be contacted by telephone to collect the diagnosis established following the referrals and their level of satisfaction concerning the screening process. Based on an expected participation rate of 50%, to estimate this rate with an accuracy of 5%, it is necessary to screen 384 subjects. The Ethics Committee on the Research of Human Subjects of Paris (Ile de France VII) approved this study in March 2022 (number: 2021-A02241-40).

Express consent is required from all participants. Findings from the cohort study will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations at scientific meetings and conferences with associated teams. NCT05512637.