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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Relation between early motor delay and later communication delay in infants at risk for autism
A N Bhat1, J C Galloway, R J Landa
1Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, United States.
Insights
Infants at high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) often show early motor delays. These delays may predict later communication challenges in these children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental pediatrics
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) research
Background:
- Retrospective studies suggest motor delays in infants later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
- Early identification of developmental trajectories in high-risk infants is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively compare gross motor development in infants at high risk for ASDs (autism sibling infants, AU sibs) versus typically developing infants.
- To investigate the predictive relationship between early motor delays and later communication development in AU sibs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing 24 AU sibs and 24 low-risk (LR) typically developing infants.
- Gross motor development assessed at 3 and 6 months using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).
- AU sibs underwent follow-up at 18 months using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for motor and communication assessment.
Main Results:
- AU sibs exhibited significantly more motor delays at 3 and 6 months compared to LR infants.
- A majority of AU sibs demonstrated both early motor delays and subsequent communication delays.
- Motor delays observed at 3 and 6 months were associated with later communication impairments.
Conclusions:
- Early motor delays are prevalent in infants at high risk for ASDs.
- Early motor delays may serve as a potential predictor for future communication delays in this cohort.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring motor development in infants with a family history of ASDs.
Background:
Motor delays have been reported in retrospective studies of young infants who later develop Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
Objective:
In this study, we prospectively compared the gross motor development of a cohort at risk for ASDs; infant siblings of children with ASDs (AU sibs) to low risk typically developing (LR) infants.
Methods:
24 AU sibs and 24 LR infants were observed at 3 and 6 months using a standardized motor measure, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). In addition, as part of a larger study, the AU sibs also received a follow-up assessment to determine motor and communication performance at 18 months using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
Results:
Significantly more AU sibs showed motor delays at 3 and 6 months than LR infants. The majority of the AU sibs showed both early motor delays and later communication delays.
Limitations:
Small sample size and limited follow-up.
Conclusions:
Early motor delays are more common in AU sibs than LR infants. Communication delays later emerged in 67-73% of the AU sibs who had presented with early motor delays. Overall, early motor delays may be predictive of future communication delays in children at risk for autism.
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