Figure 3. Proximity Index and its relation to behavioral phenotype in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Loadings on the latent component were derived using partial least squares correlation analysis in the sample of 166 children with ASD. The cross-correlation matrix consisted of the Proximity Index on the imaging (A) side and 12 variables on the behavior (B) side. The behavioral matrix encompassed two domains of autistic symptoms assessed by ADOS-2: Social Affect (SA) and Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors (RRB); six subscales of the PEP-3: Verbal and Preverbal Cognition (VPC), Expressive Language (EL), Receptive Language (RL), Fine Motor Skills (FM), Gross Motor Skills (GM), and Oculomotor Imitation (OMI); and four domains from VABS-II: Communication (COM), Daily Living Skills (DAI), Socialization (SOC), and Motor Skills (MOT). Age was controlled for by regressing it out from both sides (A and B) of the cross-correlation matrix. There was a positive correlation between the Proximity Index and all measures of developmental (PEP-3) and adaptive functioning (VABS-II). Error bars represent the bootstrapping 5th to 95th percentiles. Results that were not robust are indicated by a gray boxplot color.