Roberta Pineda1, Kelsey Melchior2, Sarah Oberle3, Terrie Inder4, Cynthia Rogers5. 1. Roberta Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Program in Occupational Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO; pineda_r@kids.wustl.edu. 2. Kelsey Melchior, MSOT, is Occupational Therapy Student, Program in Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. 3. Sarah Oberle, OTD, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Program in Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. 4. Terrie Inder, MD, is Mary Ellen Avery Professor in Pediatrics in the Field of Newborn Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Professor in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. 5. Cynthia Rogers, MD, is Assistant Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To define neonatal social characteristics related to autism risk. METHOD: Sixty-two preterm infants underwent neonatal neurobehavioral testing. At age 2 yr, participants were assessed with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition. RESULTS: Positive autism screening was associated with absence of gaze aversion, χ=5.90, p=01, odds ratio=5.05, and absence of endpoint nystagmus, χ=4.78, p=.02, odds ratio=8.47. Demonstrating gaze aversion was related to better language outcomes, t(55)=-3.07, p≤.003. Displaying endpoint nystagmus was related to better language outcomes, t(61)=-3.06, p=.003, cognitive outcomes, t(63)=-5.04, p<.001, and motor outcomes, t(62)=-2.82, p=.006. CONCLUSION: Atypical social interactions were not observed among infants who later screened positive for autism. Instead, the presence of gaze aversion and endpoint nystagmus was related to better developmental outcomes. Understanding early behaviors associated with autism may enable early identification and lead to timely therapy activation to improve function.
OBJECTIVE: To define neonatal social characteristics related to autism risk. METHOD: Sixty-two preterm infants underwent neonatal neurobehavioral testing. At age 2 yr, participants were assessed with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition. RESULTS: Positive autism screening was associated with absence of gaze aversion, χ=5.90, p=01, odds ratio=5.05, and absence of endpoint nystagmus, χ=4.78, p=.02, odds ratio=8.47. Demonstrating gaze aversion was related to better language outcomes, t(55)=-3.07, p≤.003. Displaying endpoint nystagmus was related to better language outcomes, t(61)=-3.06, p=.003, cognitive outcomes, t(63)=-5.04, p<.001, and motor outcomes, t(62)=-2.82, p=.006. CONCLUSION: Atypical social interactions were not observed among infants who later screened positive for autism. Instead, the presence of gaze aversion and endpoint nystagmus was related to better developmental outcomes. Understanding early behaviors associated with autism may enable early identification and lead to timely therapy activation to improve function.
Authors: Mayada Elsabbagh; Evelyne Mercure; Kristelle Hudry; Susie Chandler; Greg Pasco; Tony Charman; Andrew Pickles; Simon Baron-Cohen; Patrick Bolton; Mark H Johnson Journal: Curr Biol Date: 2012-01-26 Impact factor: 10.834
Authors: Jennifer Helderman; T Michael O'Shea; Lynne Dansereau; Jennifer Check; Julie A Hofheimer; Lynne M Smith; Elisabeth McGowan; Charles R Neal; Brian S Carter; Steven L Pastyrnak; Bradford Betz; Joseph Junewick; Heather L Borders; Sheri A DellaGrotta; Barry M Lester Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2022-04-01