A Comparison of Misophonia and Autistic Traits in Parents of Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study looked at sound sensitivity (misophonia) in parents of autistic children compared to other parents. Parents of autistic children were more bothered by throat sounds. The research found connections between parents' sound sensitivity and their own autism-like traits. There may also be links between parents' sound sensitivity and their child's sensory and emotional challenges. This suggests sound sensitivity might run in families with autism.

This cross-sectional study compared misophonia (sensitivity to specific sounds) and autistic traits between parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of typically developing children. The study included 56 parents in each group and used validated assessment tools including the Autism Spectrum Quotient and Amsterdam Misophonia Scale-Revised. Results showed parents of children with ASD reported throat sounds as misophonic triggers more frequently. Significant positive correlations were found between misophonia severity and autistic traits, particularly attention switching and communication difficulties.

Among ASD parents, misophonia correlated with specific child characteristics related to sensory processing and emotional regulation, suggesting potential familial connections between misophonia and autism.

Clinicians should consider screening for misophonia in autism families, as sound sensitivities may affect family functioning. Understanding these connections could inform family-centered interventions and environmental modifications. Further research needed to establish causal relationships and develop targeted support strategies.

Small sample size (56 per group) limits generalizability. Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Study relies on self-report measures which may introduce bias. No control for potential confounding factors mentioned. Limited demographic information provided about participants.

This study aims to compare misophonia levels and autistic traits between parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of typically developing children. Parents of children diagnosed with ASD who presented to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic (n=56) and parents of typically developing children (n=56) were included in the study. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was administered to the children with ASD. All participating parents completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Amsterdam Misophonia Scale– Revised (AMISOS-R).

The rate of reporting throat sounds as a misophonic trigger was higher among parents of children with ASD (p=0.004). Weak but significant positive correlations were found across all participants between the AMISOS-R total score and the AQ total score, the attention switching subscale score, and the communication subscale score (r=0.275, p=0.003; r=0.266, p=0.005; r=0.35, p<0.001, respectively). Among parents of children with ASD, the AMISOS-R total score was positively correlated with items 3, 5, and 9 of the CARS (p<0.05). Our findings support potential associations between misophonia and ASD, and suggest that misophonia in parents may be related to certain characteristics in the child, such as sensory processing and emotional regulation.