Object exploration during the transition to sitting: A study of infants at heightened risk for autism spectrum...

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Autism spectrum disorder research
• Infant behavior

Background:

• Sitting independently enhances infant object exploration by improving access and positioning.
• Infants at heightened risk (HR) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience delays in motor milestones like sitting.
• Limited research exists on how sitting development influences object exploration in HR infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between developing independent sitting skills and object exploration behaviors in infants.
• To compare object exploration changes during sitting development between HR infants and low-risk (LR) infants.
• To understand potential differences in the developmental trajectory of object exploration in HR infants.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal observation of HR (N=19) and LR (N=23) infants monthly from 2.5 months until 1 month post-independent sitting.
• Standardized developmental assessments at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months.
• ASD symptom assessment for HR infants at 36 months.

Main Results:

• HR infants achieved independent sitting later than LR infants.
• Both groups increased object grasping, shaking, banging, and mouthing with sitting experience.
• LR infants showed a greater increase in active mouthing compared to HR infants.

Conclusions:

• HR infants demonstrate a comparable developmental progression in object exploration related to sitting milestones as LR infants.
• The development of object exploration in HR infants appears to follow a similar pattern but is delayed compared to LR infants.
• Sitting experience positively impacts object exploration in both HR and LR infants, though mouthing behaviors may differ.