Motor developmental trajectories in infants with an elevated likelihood of autism spectrum disorder: A prospective
Luyang Guan1, Ziyi Zhang1, Fei Wang1
1Child Mental Health Research Center, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Insights
Investigating motor skills in infants at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) revealed distinct developmental paths. A variable gross motor trajectory, unlike stable development, was linked to an ASD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric neurology
- Autism spectrum disorder research
Background:
- Motor skill deficits are potential early indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Understanding motor development trajectories in high-risk infants is crucial for early identification and intervention.
- Longitudinal studies tracking motor skills can reveal patterns associated with ASD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectories of motor skills in infants with an elevated likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To identify distinct motor skill patterns and their association with ASD diagnosis in early childhood.
- To inform the development of personalized interventions for autism spectrum disorder.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study design with data collected at three time points from 6-24 months.
- Utilized Gesell Developmental Schedules for motor skill assessment and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule for ASD diagnosis.
- Applied latent class trajectory modeling to analyze motor skill patterns in 121 high-risk infants.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct gross motor and three distinct fine motor trajectory classes at 24 months.
- A variable gross motor developmental trajectory was significantly associated with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
- No significant association was found between fine motor skill trajectories and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Motor skill trajectories, particularly in gross motor development, offer insights into early autism spectrum disorder identification.
- Variable gross motor development patterns may serve as an important early marker for autism spectrum disorder.
- Findings support the potential for tailored interventions based on individual motor developmental trajectories in autism spectrum disorder.
Abstract:
Motor skills in infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may reveal early potential indicators of ASD. This prospective cohort study investigated the developmental trajectories of motor skills in infants with an elevated likelihood of ASD from three time points. The Gesell Developmental Schedules were used to collect prospective, longitudinal data from infants aged 6-24 months. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule was employed for the clinical symptoms of ASD at 18-24 months. Latent class trajectory modeling was applied to identify distinct groups of infants with an elevated likelihood of ASD exhibiting similar motor skills trajectories. The final analysis included 121 infants. At the 24-month follow-up, two distinct gross motor trajectory classes, and three distinct fine motor trajectory classes were identified. Compared to a stable trajectory of gross motor developmental, the variable trajectory was associated with an ASD diagnosis, while the trajectory of fine motor skills showed no significant association. These results provide valuable insight into ASD-specific developmental trajectories and promote the identification of developmentally personalized ASD treatments.
