Repetitive behavior with objects in infants developing autism predicts diagnosis and later social behavior as early...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Infant Behavior

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication challenges and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
• Early identification of ASD is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
• Repetitive behaviors in infancy are potential early markers for ASD, but their predictive value requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate repetitive object behaviors in infants at high risk for ASD from 9 to 36 months.
• To examine the association between early repetitive behaviors and social engagement.
• To determine if specific repetitive behaviors can predict ASD diagnosis and later social interaction.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 147 infant siblings: 72 high-risk (familial ASD history) and 58 low-risk (typical development).
• Infants were assessed at 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 36 months using a task eliciting repetitive object use.
• Behavioral coding from video focused on unusual visual inspection, spinning, and rotating, with 17 infants diagnosed with ASD at 36 months.

Main Results:

• Unusual visual inspection was significantly more frequent in the eventual ASD group starting at 9 months, persisting through 36 months.
• Spinning and rotating behaviors appeared later, were more transient, and linked to familial risk rather than diagnosis.
• Early unusual visual inspection at 9 months predicted reduced social engagement at 12 months, independent of diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Unusual visual inspection of objects is a stable behavior present by 9 months in infants who later develop ASD.
• This early repetitive behavior predicts diminished social engagement in the subsequent months.
• Monitoring unusual visual inspection may serve as an early indicator for ASD detection and intervention.