A new study discovers atypical development can be detected as early as 12 months of age among siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers with the University of California — Davis MIND Institute and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that close to half of the younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop in an atypical fashion.

They found that 17 percent developed ASD and another 28 percent showing delays in other areas of development or behavior.

The study is published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Among the 28 percent of children with older siblings with ASD who showed delays in other areas of development, differences were identified in their social, communication, cognitive, or motor development by 12 months.

The most common deficits were in the social-communication domain, such as extreme shyness with unfamiliar people, lower levels of eye contact, and delayed pointing.

Investigators believe the findings suggest that parents and clinicians should be watchful for such symptoms early on among siblings of children with autism.

Early detection allows targeted early intervention to improve a child’s outcomes.

“Having a child in the family with autism spectrum disorder means that subsequent infants born into that family should be regularly screened for developmental and behavioral problems by their pediatricians,” said Sally Ozonoff, Ph.D., study lead author.

“This research should give parents and clinicians hope that clinical symptoms of atypical development can be picked up earlier, so that we can, perhaps, reduce some of the difficulties that these families often face by intervening earlier.”

The study was conducted in 294 infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder and 116 infant siblings of children with typical development. All of the study participants were enrolled prior to 18 months of age.

Data on the children’s development was collected at six, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months of age using a variety of standard developmental tests for autism symptoms.

“Good clinical practice suggests that when children are showing atypical development they and their families should be provided with information about the child’s difficulties, clinical reports when practical and referrals to local service providers,” Ozonoff said.

“The intervention approaches need to be chosen based on each child’s profile of strengths and weaknesses and each family’s goals and priorities.”

Source: UC Davis MIND Institute



Mother and child with doctor photo by shutterstock.

Problems in Siblings of Autistic Kids Can Be Detected Early