Dataset Information

Longitudinal Relations Between Early Sensory Responsiveness and Later Communication in Infants with Autistic and Non-autistic Siblings.

ABSTRACT: Early differences in sensory responsiveness may contribute to difficulties with communication among autistic children; however, this theory has not been longitudinally assessed in infants at increased familial versus general population-level likelihood for autism (Sibs-autism vs. Sibs-NA) using a comprehensive battery of sensory responsiveness and communication. In a sample of 40 infants (20 Sibs-autism, of whom six were later diagnosed with autism; 20 Sibs-NA), we tested (a) associations between sensory responsiveness at 12-18 months and communication 9 months later and (b) evaluated whether such associations were moderated by sibling group, autism diagnosis, or age. We found negative zero-order correlations between sensory responsiveness (i.e., caregiver reported hyperresponsiveness and hyporesponsiveness; an observational measure of hyperresponsiveness) and later communication. Additionally, caregiver reported sensory seeking was negatively associated with later expressive communication only in Sibs-NA. Limitations include our relatively small sample size of infants diagnosed with autism. Implications for future research are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Feldman JI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9707174 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Longitudinal Relations Between Early Sensory Responsiveness and Later Communication in Infants with Autistic and Non-autistic Siblings.

Feldman Jacob I JI Garla Varsha V Dunham Kacie K Markfeld Jennifer E JE Bowman Sarah M SM Golden Alexandra J AJ Daly Claire C Kaiser Sophia S Mailapur Nisha N Raj Sweeya S Santapuram Pooja P Suzman Evan E Augustine Ashley E AE Muhumuza Aine A Cascio Carissa J CJ Williams Kathryn L KL Kirby Anne V AV Keceli-Kaysili Bahar B Woynaroski Tiffany G TG

Journal of autism and developmental disorders 20221128 2

Early differences in sensory responsiveness may contribute to difficulties with communication among autistic children; however, this theory has not been longitudinally assessed in infants at increased familial versus general population-level likelihood for autism (Sibs-autism vs. Sibs-NA) using a comprehensive battery of sensory responsiveness and communication. In a sample of 40 infants (20 Sibs-autism, of whom six were later diagnosed with autism; 20 Sibs-NA), we tested (a) associations betwee ...[more]

PMID: 36441431

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Project description:The early emergence of social communication challenges and their impact on language in infants later diagnosed with autism has sparked many early intervention programs that target social communication skills. While research has consistently shown lower scores on social communication assessments in the first year of life, there is limited research at 12-months exploring associations between different dimensions of social communication and later language. Understanding associations between early social communication skills and language would enhance our ability to choose high priority intervention goals that will impact downstream language skills. The current study used a standardized assessment to profile social communication skills across 516 infants with a high (HL) or low likelihood (LL-Neg) for autism (84% White, 60% Male), based on the presence of a sibling with autism in the family. The primary aim of the study was to profile social communication skill development in the second year of life and to evaluate associations between social communication skills and later language. HL infants who met criteria for autism (HL-ASD, N = 81) demonstrated widespread reductions in social communication skills at 12-months compared to HL infants who did not meet criteria for autism (HL-Neg, N = 277) and LL-Neg (N = 158) infants. Across all infants in the study, those with better social communication skills at 12-months had better language at 24-months. However, within group analyses indicated that infants who met criteria for autism did not show this developmental coupling until 24-months-of-age at which point social communication was positively associated with downstream language skills. The cascading pattern of reduced social communication skills as well as overall significant positive associations with later language provide further evidence for the need to support developing social communication skills prior to formal autism diagnosis, a goal that could possibly be reached through pre-emptive interventions.

Project description:Purpose Differences in communication development impact long-term outcomes of children with autism. Previous research has identified factors associated with communication in children with autism, but much of the variance in communication skill remains unexplained. It has been proposed that early differences in sensory responsiveness (i.e., hyporesponsiveness, hyperresponsiveness, and sensory seeking) may produce "cascading effects" on communication. Evidence for this theory is limited, however, as relations between sensory responsiveness and communication in the earliest stages of development have not been well established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (a) whether infants with a heightened likelihood of autism diagnosis (i.e., infants with an older sibling with autism) differ from infants at general population-level likelihood of autism (i.e., infants with an older, nonautistic sibling) on patterns of sensory responsiveness, (b) whether early sensory responsiveness is correlated with concurrent communication, and (c) whether the aforementioned between-groups differences and associations are moderated by age. Method Participants were 40 infants (20 infants with an older sibling with autism, 20 infants with an older, nonautistic sibling) aged 12-18 months. A series of observational and parent report measures of sensory responsiveness and communication skill were administered. Results Group differences in sensory responsiveness across the 12- to 18-month period were limited (i.e., only observed for one measure of hyporesponsiveness), though selected differences in sensory responsiveness (i.e., parent-reported hyperresponsiveness and sensory seeking) emerged between groups over this developmental window. Parent-reported hyporesponsiveness was unconditionally, negatively associated with communication skills. Associations between expressive communication and (a) parent-reported sensory seeking and (b) an observational measure of hyperresponsiveness were moderated by age. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the nature of sensory responsiveness and theorized links with communication skill in infants at elevated and general population-level likelihood of autism diagnosis. Further work is needed to better characterize the effects of interest in a larger sample spanning a wider age range. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14515542.

Project description:PurposeCaregivers of autistic children present with high stress levels, which have been associated with poorer child outcomes in several domains, including language development. However, prior to this study, it was unknown whether elevated caregiver stress was associated with language development in infant siblings of autistic children (Sibs-autism), who are at increased likelihood of receiving a future diagnosis of autism and/or language impairment compared to infant siblings of non-autistic children. This study explored the degree to which, as well as the mechanisms by which, caregiver stress was linked with later language outcomes of Sibs-autism and infant siblings of non-autistic children (Sibs-NA).MethodParticipants were 50 infants (28 Sibs-autism; 22 Sibs-NA) aged 12-18 months at the first time point in this study (Time 1). Infants were seen again 9 months later, at 21-27 months of age (Time 2). Caregiver stress was measured via a validated self-report measure at Time 1. Caregiver language input, the putative mechanism by which caregiver stress may influence later language outcomes, was collected via two daylong recordings from digital recording (Language ENvironment Analysis) devices worn by the child at this same time point. Child language outcomes were measured via standardized and caregiver report measures at Time 2.ResultsSeveral models testing hypothesized indirect effects of caregiver stress on later child language outcomes through caregiver language input were statistically significant. Specifically, significant indirect effects suggest that (a) caregivers with increased stress tend to speak less to their infants, and (b) this reduced language input tends to covary with reduced child language outcomes later in life for Sibs-autism and Sibs-NA.ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into links between caregiver stress, caregiver language input, and language outcomes in Sibs-autism and Sibs-NA. Further work is necessary to understand how to best support caregivers and optimize the language learning environments for infants.Supplemental materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21714368.

Project description:BackgroundAutistic adults have an elevated risk of many health problems compared with the general population, making health care access extra critical. Unfortunately, autistic people often find health care settings quite aversive, and many medical providers report feeling unsure about how to interact with autistic patients. We aimed at characterizing specific challenges regarding sensory experiences and communicative barriers in health care settings.MethodsWe recruited adults to complete an anonymous online questionnaire on the topic of improving health care experiences for everyone. The questions covered demographics, sensory experiences in medical settings, and communication with health care providers. We quantified the associations between autism diagnosis and experiences of sensory discomfort and communication barriers in health care settings. We also did a qualitative analysis of text responses to questions on how to improve sensory environments and communication with providers.ResultsSwedish adults (62 autistic and 36 nonautistic) participated in the study. The cohort was well educated, and autistic participants received their autism diagnosis late in life (median age 36 years, range 13-57). Compared with nonautistic participants, autistic participants reported greater discomfort with background sound levels in health care settings and felt more misunderstood by health care providers. Thematic analyses showed that auditory stimuli and proximity to other people were particularly bothersome for autistic participants, causing stress or avoidance and affecting the ability to interact with providers. Providers contributed to communication barriers by failing to recognize the need for individualized information, especially when respondents' difficulties were not visible or taken seriously. Participants requested greater clarity and supplementary written information. Providers also misunderstood autistic adults' body language or eye contact patterns, as they interpreted their clients through the lens of neurotypical expectations.ConclusionsOur results extend previous research by emphasizing sensory aspects of health care settings and suggesting specific and reasonable adaptations. The results also highlight how the provider's implicit expectations of nonverbal communication caused misinterpretations of autistic people who were socially skilled but did not use typical body language. Based on the data, we suggest specific adaptations, many of which may also benefit nonautistic people.

Dataset Information

Longitudinal Relations Between Early Sensory Responsiveness and Later Communication in Infants with Autistic and Non-autistic Siblings.

Publications

Longitudinal Relations Between Early Sensory Responsiveness and Later Communication in Infants with Autistic and Non-autistic Siblings.

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