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Dyadic Synchrony and Responsiveness in the First Year: Associations with Autism Risk
Ashleigh M Kellerman1, A J Schwichtenberg1, Rana Abu-Zhaya2
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
Summary
Early social interaction differences in infants at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emerge by 12 months. Promoting dyadic synchrony and responsiveness in these infants can support later language development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Infant Social Interaction
Background:
- Early dyadic synchrony and responsiveness are foundational for social-communication development.
- Infants with siblings diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at an elevated risk for developmental concerns.
- Difficulties in early social interactions may predict later language, joint attention, and emotion regulation challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early social-communication differences in infants at high risk for ASD.
- To examine the relationship between early dyadic synchrony, responsiveness, and later language outcomes in high-risk infants.
- To identify potential early markers for developmental monitoring and intervention in infants at elevated risk for ASD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study involving infant siblings of children with ASD (high-risk) and typically developing children (low-risk).
- Standardized parent-child play tasks were conducted at 6, 9, and 12 months of age.
- Interactions were coded for gaze, affect, and vocalizations to assess dyadic synchrony and responsiveness using multilevel models.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in dyadic synchrony and infant responsiveness were observed between high-risk and low-risk groups by 12 months of age.
- Higher levels of dyadic synchrony and infant responsiveness at 12 months were associated with better receptive and expressive language scores at 36 months in high-risk infants.
- Early social-communication differences were detectable in infant siblings of children with ASD during parent-child play.
Conclusions:
- Early dyadic synchrony and responsiveness are critical developmental components in infants.
- Detecting differences in these early social skills by 12 months can inform monitoring for infants at high risk for ASD.
- Interventions aimed at promoting dyadic synchrony and responsiveness may enhance developmental trajectories in at-risk infants.
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