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Parent-reported temperament trajectories among infant siblings of children with autism

Mithi Del Rosario1, Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Scott Johnson

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Bio-behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Temperament differences emerge early in children who develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Infants later diagnosed with ASD showed increased activity and decreased adaptability compared to typically developing peers.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric medicine

Background:

  • Temperament atypicalities are observed in early development among children who later receive an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
  • Understanding early temperament differences is crucial for identifying developmental trajectories associated with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in temperament developmental trajectories between infants with and without ASD.
  • To compare temperament changes over time in high-risk infants who develop ASD versus typically developing (TD) infants.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study tracking temperament using the Carey Temperament Scales.
  • Parental reports collected at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age.
  • Comparison between infant siblings of children with autism and high-risk typically developing (TD) children.

Main Results:

  • Infants later diagnosed with ASD exhibited increasing activity levels over time.
  • Children with ASD showed decreasing adaptability and approach behaviors compared to TD children.
  • These temperament trajectory differences emerged during the early developmental window for ASD symptom onset.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct temperament developmental trajectories are identifiable in infancy among children who develop ASD.
  • Early temperament assessments may offer insights into neurodevelopmental pathways in autism spectrum disorder.
  • This research provides novel comparisons of temperament trajectories during the critical period for early ASD emergence.

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