Predicting self-injurious behavior at age three among infant siblings of children with autism
Adele F Dimian1, Annette M Estes2, Stephen Dager3
1Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Insights
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is predicted by early SIB, stereotypy, sensory issues, and lower intellectual functioning. These factors at 12 months indicate a higher risk for SIB at 36 months.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a significant concern in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Previous research indicated a link between early SIB and later SIB in preschool children with familial risk for ASD.
- Understanding predictors of persistent SIB is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the occurrence of SIB at 36 months of age in infants with a high familial likelihood for ASD.
- To identify potential risk factors at 12 months of age that predict SIB at 36 months.
- To extend previous findings on SIB prediction in a cohort of infants at high familial risk for ASD.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 149 infants with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD.
- Data collected at 12, 24, and 36 months of age.
- Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of SIB.
Main Results:
- SIB was more prevalent in children who received an ASD diagnosis.
- Early SIB, stereotypy, sensory responsivity (hyper- and hypo-), and lower intellectual functioning at 12 months predicted SIB at 36 months.
- These early indicators are significant predictors of later self-injurious behavior.
Conclusions:
- Early identification of SIB and associated risk factors in infants at high familial risk for ASD is critical.
- Findings inform the understanding of developmental trajectories leading to persistent SIB.
- Results support the development of targeted prevention and intervention programs for SIB in ASD.
Abstract:
Existing research suggests that self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a relatively common interfering behavior that can occur across the lifespan of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously reported that SIB or proto-injurious SIB at 12 months was related to increased risk of SIB at 24 months among a preschool sample of children with a high familial likelihood for ASD (Dimian et al., 2017). In the present study, we extend these findings, examine SIB occurrence, and associated potential risk factors at 36 months. The present sample included 149 infants with an older sibling with ASD (65.8% male) who completed assessments at ages 12, 24, and 36 months. Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression models were utilized. SIB was more prevalent among those children who received a diagnosis of ASD. Logistic regression indicated that presence of SIB, stereotypy, hyper- and hypo- sensory responsivity, and lower intellectual functioning at age 12 months significantly predicted the occurrence of SIB at 36 months. These findings have implications for understanding developmental processes culminating in persistent SIB and may inform prevention programming.
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