Attachment security differs by later autism spectrum disorder: A prospective study

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychiatry
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Difficulties in social relationships are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Infant attachment security has not been previously studied as a predictor of ASD diagnosis.
• Early identification of ASD risk is crucial for timely intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively assess infant attachment security at 15 months in relation to later ASD diagnosis.
• To investigate the association between different attachment styles and ASD diagnosis in high-risk infants.
• To explore the potential of insecure-resistant attachment as an early marker for ASD risk.

Main Methods:

• Prospective assessment of attachment security using the Strange Situation Procedure at 15 months.
• Study included high-risk infants with later ASD diagnosis (n=16), high-risk infants without ASD (n=40), and low-risk infants without ASD (n=39).
• Comparison of attachment classifications (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant) across the three groups.

Main Results:

• High-risk infants who later received an ASD diagnosis were significantly more likely to exhibit insecure attachment, particularly insecure-resistant, compared to low-risk and high-risk infants without ASD.
• Insecure-resistant attachment was over nine times more likely to be associated with an ASD diagnosis in high-risk infants compared to secure attachment.
• Insecure-resistant attachment may reflect a propensity for negative affect in stressful situations with a parent.

Conclusions:

• Insecure-resistant attachment in high-risk infants may serve as a potential early index for ASD diagnosis.
• This attachment style could contribute to the social and familial challenges experienced by children with ASD.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering infant-parent attachment dynamics in the context of early ASD risk assessment.