Social engagement with parents in 11-month-old siblings at high and low genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campbell, Susan B; Leezenbaum, Nina B; Mahoney, Amanda S; Day, Taylor N; Schmidt, Emily N
• Is Part Of: Autism. Volume 19:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 915
• Page End: 924
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: autism spectrum disorder -- high-risk infant siblings -- parent–child interaction -- social engagement; Autism -- Periodicals; Autism in children -- Periodicals; 616.85882005
• DOI: 10.1177/1362361314555146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-3613

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.