Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

Posture Development in Infants at Heightened vs. Low Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Lindsay R Nickel1, Alyssa R Thatcher, Flavio Keller

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies
|September 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infants at heightened risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed delayed postural development. Early posture delays may impact infant learning and exploration opportunities.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Movement science

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with postural control difficulties in children and adults.
  • Previous studies suggest infants later diagnosed with ASD exhibit delayed postural development.
  • Early identification of developmental differences is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively and longitudinally investigate early posture development in infants at heightened risk for ASD.
  • To compare postural development between high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) infants.
  • To examine posture development in infants who later received an autism diagnosis (AD).

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 22 HR infants and 18 LR infants.
  • Home-based video recordings at 6, 9, 12, and 14 months of age.
  • Coding and classification of infant-initiated postures and posture changes.

Main Results:

  • HR infants demonstrated slower development of sitting and standing skills compared to LR infants.
  • Infants who received an autism diagnosis (AD) showed significant delays in advanced postures and fewer initiated posture changes.
  • Postural delays were more pronounced in AD infants.

Conclusions:

  • Early postural development differences are observable in infants at heightened risk for ASD.
  • Significant postural delays in infants later diagnosed with ASD may affect their interaction and learning opportunities.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring early motor development for potential indicators of ASD.

Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disordersearly identificationinfant siblingsmotor developmentposture

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...