Developmental Trajectories of Emotional Availability Differ Between Dyads With Children With and Without Motor Delay

This study investigated associations of gross motor delay and dyadic emotional availability (EA). Data were drawn from 99 children (Mean age = 8.79 [SD = 3.2] months, 47% Female, and 67% White) with and without motor delay and their caregivers. EA was quantified from five parent-child interactions collected over 12 months. Dyads with children with significant motor delay had significantly less growth in Total EA, Child EA, Sensitivity, Responsiveness, and Involvement compared to dyads with children with typical motor development. Children with mild motor delay differed from children with typical motor development in Involvement. Severity of motor delay was associated with risk to EA in that dyads of children with more significant motor delay had more difficulties with EA over time. Trial Registration: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02593825).