Why We Should Study the Broader Autism Phenotype in Typically Developing Populations

The broader autism phenotype (BAP) is a term applied to individuals with personality and cognitive traits that are similar to but milder than those observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Subtle autistic traits in the core diagnostic domains of social communication and rigid behavior were described in family members of people with an ASD even in the initial reports of ASD. In this article, we discuss the benefits and limitations of researching the BAP in typically developing individuals for understanding autism and development.