Neural and psychophysiological correlates of social communication development: Evidence from sensory processing, motor, cognitive, language and emotional behavioral milestones across infancy

Abstract

This article presents a literature review focusing on the neural and psychophysiological correlates associated with social communication development in infancy. Studies presenting evidence on infants' brain activity and developments in infant sensory processing, motor, cognitive, language, and emotional abilities are described in regard to the neuropsychophysiological processes underlying the emergence of these specific behavioral milestones and their associations with social communication development. Studies that consider specific age-related characteristics across the infancy period are presented. Evidence suggests that specific neural and physiological signatures accompany age-related social communication development during the first 18 months of life.

Keywords: Infancy; neuropsychophysiological markers; social communication development.