Early social communication in infants with fragile X syndrome and infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hahn, Laura J.; Brady, Nancy C.; McCary, Lindsay; Rague, Lisa; Roberts, Jane E.
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 71(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Fragile X syndrome -- Autism spectrum disorders -- Social communication development -- Communication complexity -- Behavioral phenotype; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Highlights: Overall infants with FXS had lower social communication than ASIBs or TD infants. Infants with FXS had similar levels of social communication during peek-a-boo. No differences in social communication were observed between ASIBs and TD infants. Etiologically different patterns of social communication were seen across groups. For all infants, higher social communication was related to lower ASD risk. Abstract: Background: Little research in fragile X syndrome (FXS) has prospectively examined early social communication. Aims: To compare early social communication in infants with FXS, infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASIBs), and typically developing (TD) infants. Methods and procedures: Participants were 18 infants with FXS, 21 ASIBs, and 22 TD infants between 7.5–14.5 months. Social communication was coded using the Communication Complexity Scale during the administration of Autism Observation Scale for Infants. Outcomes and results: Descriptively different patterns were seen across the three groups. Overall infants with FXS had lower social communication than ASIBs or TD infants when controlling for nonverbal cognitive abilities. However, infants with FXS had similar levels of social communication as ASIBs or TD infants during peek-a-boo. No differences were observed between ASIBs and TD infants. For all infants, higher social communication was related to lower ASD risk. Conclusions and implications: Findings provide insight into the developmental course of social communication in FXS. The dynamic nature of social games may help to stimulate communication in infants with FXS. Language interventions with a strong social component may be particularly effective for promoting language development in FXS.