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. 2015 Nov;19(8):915-24.
doi: 10.1177/1362361314555146. Epub 2014 Nov 28.

Social engagement with parents in 11-month-old siblings at high and low genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder

Susan B Campbell  1 , Nina B Leezenbaum  2 , Amanda S Mahoney  2 , Taylor N Day  2 , Emily N Schmidt  2
Affiliations

Social engagement with parents in 11-month-old siblings at high and low genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder

Susan B Campbell et al. Autism. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Infant siblings of children with an autism spectrum disorder are at heightened genetic risk to develop autism spectrum disorder. We observed high risk (n = 35) and low risk (n = 27) infants at 11 months during free play with a parent. Children were assessed for autism spectrum disorder in toddlerhood. High-risk infants with a later diagnosis (n = 10) were less socially engaged with their parents than were low-risk infants. Parent behavior during play did not vary by group. Within the high-risk group, ratings of social reciprocity at 11 months predicted Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule severity scores at follow-up, suggesting that systematic observations of parent-infant play may be a useful addition to early assessments of emerging autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; high-risk infant siblings; parent–child interaction; social engagement.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Means of infant behaviors coded as frequencies. HR-ASD = high risk infants with a later ASD diagnosis. HR-noASD = high risk infants with no later ASD diagnosis. LR = low risk control infants. Standard error bars depict +/−1 SE.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scatter plot of infant reciprocity ratings and ADOS severity scores at follow-up for all HR children ⭗ = multiple children
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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