Early Detection of ADHD: Insights From Infant Siblings of Children With Autism

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Updated: Mar 13, 2026

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants
11:14

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants

Published on: October 4, 2015

11.6K

Meghan Miller1, Ana-Maria Iosif2, Gregory S Young1

  • 1a MIND Institute , University of California , Davis Health System.

Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53
|October 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Early attention and behavior problems in infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can predict later attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. Identifying these early indicators may improve timely ADHD detection and intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Genetics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Shared genetic factors link autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Infants at risk for ASD often exhibit developmental challenges extending into school age, including attention and behavioral issues.
  • Early identification of ADHD risk in high-risk infant populations is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify early predictors of school-age attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in infants with varying risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 59 infants (high and low ASD risk) from 3 to 36 months, with diagnostic outcomes assessed at 8-10 years.
  • Data collection included developmental assessments and parent/examiner reports of behavior.
  • Diagnostic outcomes for ADHD were determined using DSM-5 criteria.

Main Results:

  • Seventeen participants (14 high-risk, 3 low-risk) were diagnosed with ADHD at school age.
  • Infants later diagnosed with ADHD showed atypical sustained visual attention patterns as infants.
  • Behavioral and temperament problems were reported more frequently in the ADHD outcome group by 36 months, with inattentive/hyperactive behaviors noted by 18 months.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral indicators for later ADHD risk are detectable in early infancy.
  • Early identification of these risk factors can potentially enhance the early detection and treatment of ADHD.
  • Findings underscore the importance of monitoring developmental trajectories in infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.

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