Early Signs Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Articles

Unraveling the Spectrum: A Comprehensive Review of Autism Spectrum Disorder in India.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors that profoundly impact the lives of affected individuals and their families. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ASD, focusing on screening, diagnosis, and intervention strategies. Early signs of ASD can manifest in infancy, but parents may not recognize them until their child falls behind in meeting social milestones. This delay in recognition is often due to a lack of awareness, societal stigma, and limited knowledge about developmental and behavioral disorders. Globally, ASD prevalence is increasingpotentially due to broader diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, and improved screening practices. Screening for ASD is crucial for early identification and intervention. Various tools are available such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHATs), Trivandrum Autism Behavioral Checklist (TABC), and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). Diagnosing ASD involves using established criteria such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and specific diagnostic tools like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Indian Scale for the Assessment of Autism (ISAA). Interventions for ASD should be multidisciplinary, involving professionals such as developmental pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, special educators, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and social workers. Applied behavior analysis (ABA), naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs), and parent-mediated treatment are among the evidence-based approaches. Additionally, speech-language therapy, motor therapy, and sensory integration therapy play vital roles in addressing the diverse needs of individuals with ASD. Medical interventions should be used alongside behavioral and environmental strategies. Early screening, accurate diagnosis, and tailored interventions are essential for improving the lives of individuals with ASD. A multidisciplinary approach and increased awareness are crucial in addressing the growing prevalence of ASD worldwide.

Investigating the early signs of ASD in preschool children in the UAE as a model for GCC countries

PurposeIdentifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children’s early years significantly impacts their academic performance and future life. It allows them to receive special support services and the required early intervention. Preschool teachers spend considerable time with their students, which allows them to observe their behaviors in different settings like classrooms and playgrounds. However, teachers need to be knowledgeable of ASD early assessment to detect them. Whereas, all well-known ASD assessment tools are designed for populations from different cultures than the Gulf Cooperation Councils' (GCC) culture. This study emphasizes the importance of preschool age, from 3 to 5, in indicating children's early signs of ASD. This paper aims to indicate the early signs of ASD in preschool children in the UAE as a model for other GCC countries.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method consisting of interviews with preschool teachers and the ASD children’s parents was conducted to investigate the ASD early symptoms in children.FindingsThe findings of the study show that there is a direct connection between the opinions expressed by preschool teachers and the parents of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). These results also highlight the presence of early indications of ASD among preschool-aged children in the United Arab Emirates, such as difficulties in communication, repetitive actions, delayed speech, excessive focus on tablets, trouble paying attention, hyperactivity, sleep problems, and aggressive behavior.Originality/valueThe outcomes suggest a strong connection between the feedback from preschool teachers and the parents of children with ASD. The study uncovers initial indications of ASD in preschool-aged children from the United Arab Emirates, such as difficulties in communication, repetitive actions, delayed speech, excessive fascination with tablets, problems with attention, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, and aggressive behavior.

Association Between Early Developmental Milestones and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been shown to lead to better prognosis. Here, we examined the association of commonly measured early developmental milestones (DMs) with later diagnosis of ASD. We conducted a case-control study of 280 children with ASD (cases) and 560 typically developed children (controls) matched to cases by date of birth, sex, and ethnicity in a control/case ratio of 2:1. Both cases and controls were ascertained from all children whose development was monitored at mother-child health clinics (MCHCs) in southern Israel. DM failure rates during the first 18 months of life in three developmental categories (motor, social, and verbal) were compared between cases and controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association of specific DMs with the risk of ASD, while adjusting for demographic and birth characteristics.Significant case-control differences in DM failure rates were observed as early as 3 months of age (p < 0.001), and these differences increased with age. Specifically, cases were 2.4 times more likely to fail ≥ 1 DM at 3 months (aOR = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.41-4.06), and 15.3 times more likely to fail ≥ 3 DMs at 18 months (aOR = 15.32; 95%CI = 7.75-30.28). The most notable DM-ASD association was observed for social DM failure at 9-12 months (aOR = 4.59; 95%CI = 2.59-8.13). Importantly, the sex or ethnicity of the participants did not affect these DM-ASD associations. Our findings highlight the potential role of DMs as early signs of ASD that could facilitate earlier referral and diagnosis of ASD.

The Urgent Need for Neuroscience Research to Consider Culture when Assessing the Development of Gait in Autistic Children: A Scoping Review

Over the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on a global scale, impacting all racial and cultural groups. This increase in the diagnostic rate has prompted investigation into a myriad of factors that may serve as early signs of ASD. One of these factors includes the biomechanics of gait, or the manner of walking. Although ASD is a spectrum, many autistic children experience differences in gross motor function, including gait. It has been documented that gait is also impacted by racial and cultural background. Given that ASD is equally prevalent across all cultural backgrounds, it is urgent that studies assessing gait in autistic children consider the impact of cultural factors on children's development of gait. The purpose of the present scoping review was to assess whether recent empirical research studies focusing on gait in autistic children have taken culture into account. To do so, we conducted a scoping review following PRISMA guidelines using a keyword searching with the terms autism, OR autism spectrum disorder, OR ASD, OR autis, AND gait OR walking in the following databases: CINAHL, ERIC (EBSCO), Medline, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Scopus. Articles were considered for review if they met all six of the following inclusionary criteria: (1) included participants with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), (2) directly measured gait or walking, (3) the article was a primary study, (4) the article was written in English, (5) participants included children up to age 18, and (6) the article was published between 2014 and 2022. A total of 43 articles met eligibility criteria but none of the articles took culture into account in the data analysis process. There is an urgent need for neuroscience research to consider cultural factors when assessing gait characteristics of autistic children. This would allow for more culturally responsive and equitable assessment and intervention planning for all autistic children.

Continuity of trajectories of autism symptom severity from infancy to childhood.

Behavioral symptom trajectories are informative of the development of young children at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Developmental trajectories of early signs were examined in a cohort of siblings of children diagnosed with ASD (n= 502) from 6 to 18 months using the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI), and from 18 months to 5-7 years using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Diagnostic outcomes for ASD at age 3 confirmed diagnosis for 137 children. We further analyzed the conditional probability of a switch from a trajectory measured with the AOSI to a trajectory measured with the ADOS as well as predictors from age 6months. We derived three early trajectories of behavioral signs ("Low," "Intermediate," and "Increasing") from 6 to 18 months using the AOSI. We then derived three similar, distinct trajectories for the evolution of symptom severity between 18 and 60-84 months of age (Low, Intermediate, Increasing) using the ADOS. Globally, the Low trajectory included children showing fewer ASD signs or symptoms and the Increasing trajectory included children showing more severe symptoms. We also found that most children in the Low AOSI trajectory stayed in the corresponding ADOS trajectory, whereas children in an Increasing AOSI trajectory tended to transition to an Intermediate or Increasing ADOS trajectory. Developmental measures taken at 6months (early signs of ASD, Fine Motor, and Visual Reception skills) were predictive of trajectory membership. Results confirm substantial heterogeneity in the early emergence of ASD signs in children at increased likelihood for ASD. Moreover, we showed that the way those early behavioral signs emerge in infants is predictive of later symptomatology. Results yield clear clinical implications, supporting the need to repeatedly assess infants at increased likelihood for ASD as this can be highly indicative of their later development and behavior.

Early Developmental Trends in High-Risk Neonates Later Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We hypothesized that clinical data from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infant developmental follow-up clinic would identify early manifestations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One hundred forty-four infants were identified; 72 later diagnosed with ASD and 72 controls. Retrospective chart review provided data from the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (Bayley-III), between 8 and 26 months of age. Between-group comparisons indicated no significant group difference in TIMP scores; however, Bayley-III scaled scores differed between the groups at 2 administration times. The within-group Bayley-III change scores declined significantly more for the ASD group in cognitive and communication subtests. High-risk neonates, due to prematurity or morbidity, later diagnosed with ASD demonstrated statistically significant differences, including a more precipitous drop in Bayley-III scores over time. Early, longitudinal developmental surveillance for neonates at risk of ASD is critical. What this adds to the evidence: Early identification of ASD is critical to optimize developmental outcomes in young children, including infants born prematurely or with neonatal morbidity, who are perceived to have an increased risk for ASD. Despite these findings, minimal research has been conducted to evaluate the utility of commonly administered norm-referenced developmental surveillance instruments to identify possible early signs of ASD in this high-risk population due to prematurity or neonatal morbidity and not familial association. The present study analyzed retrospectively collected clinical data from a NICU developmental follow-up clinic for 144 infants, 72 of which were later diagnosed with ASD and 72 sex- and gestational age-matched controls. Results demonstrated statistically significant poorer Bayley-III outcomes for the ASD group compared with controls at 2 different study time points, including a more precipitous drop in Bayley-III scaled scores over time. This study highlights the importance of early and longitudinal developmental surveillance for high-risk neonates at risk of ASD.

Naturalistic Communication Training for Early Intervention Providers and Latinx Parents of Children with Signs of Autism.

In this study, researchers implemented a brief training plus coaching program in naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention with three participant triads. Each triad consisted of an early intervention provider, an English-speaking Latinx parent, and that parent’s young child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or early signs of ASD who had limited vocal speech. The effects a single training session, plus two researcher coaching sessions were evaluated using a nonconcurrent multiple probes across participants design. Primary dependent variables included (a) the number of completed targeted communication turns between the parent and child and (b) the number of child independent target communication responses (gestures and manual signs) during family-selected routines. Additional measures examined whether parents used strategies taught to them during training, and whether early intervention providers addressed strategies taught via coaching. A social validity measure was used to determine parent and provider views of the training. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, training and post-training sessions were delivered via telehealth for two triads. While data trends and variability differed across triads, following training, all three families increased the number of completed target communication turns and all three children showed higher rates of independent communication responses. Parents and providers implemented strategies taught and reported positive effects of the program. Implications regarding the use of naturalistic intervention methods for Latinx families, the utility of brief training models to meet the needs of under-resourced early intervention programs, and potential uses of telehealth are discussed.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10882-021-09794-w.

Developmental Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Iranian Pre-Schoolers

PurposeEarly identification and intervention is recommended for developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Various screening tools are available, but most were developed in affluent English speaking countries. Design and methodsIn order to identify possible early signs of ASD within Iranian society, parents of 623 children in an age range from 3 to 7 years of age at risk of ASD, were interviewed about the signs that alerted their concerns. Also two screening instruments were developed and tested with the parents using items derived from the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS2). One focused on autistic behaviors and the second on developmental indicators. ResultsUsing both tools, 93% of the children who were identified as likely to have ASD based on a full GARS assessment were identified using the two screening tools. Practice implicationsThese assessments might be used in initial screening for ASD by early year's personnel or public health professionals with Iranian parents of toddlers who have concerns about their child's development.

Exploring Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Across Domains of Development in High-Risk Neonates

Abstract Date Presented 04/05/19 OT practitioners can play a role in identifying children at risk for ASD. Early signs of ASD have been proposed across multiple developmental domains. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical data across domains for high-risk premature infants who were later diagnosed with ASD to those who were not. Results indicate that early development between these two groups is similar, but there are clinically and statistically significant differences seen at two years. Primary Author and Speaker: Kelly Tanner Additional Authors and Speakers: Maria Baldino Contributing Authors: Helen Carey, Nicholas Kelly, Karen Ratliff-Schaub

The Importance of Temperament for Understanding Early Manifestations of Autism Spectrum Disorder in High-Risk Infants.

The present study investigated the relationship between infant temperament characteristics and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk status. Temperament was examined at 6, 12, and 24months in 282 infants at high familial risk for ASD and 114 low-risk controls using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised and Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire. Infants were divided into three groups at 24months: High-Risk Positive-classified as ASD (HR Pos), High-Risk Negative (HR Neg), and Low-Risk Negative (LR Neg). At 6 and 12months HR Pos infants exhibited lower Surgency and Regulatory Capacity than LR Neg infants. By 12months they also demonstrated increased Negative Affect. Group differences remained, when early signs of ASD were controlled for, suggesting that temperament differences could be useful targets for understanding the development of ASD.

Latino and Non-Latino White Parents’ Experiences Raising their Child with ASD: An Exploratory Study

There is a dearth of research about the experiences of the Latino population in raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This includes a lack of cross-cultural perspectives and perspectives from fathers. Although there are similar experiences in raising a child with ASD among parents, we hypothesize that there will be different experiences due to culture. The current study is an exploratory qualitative research design, where we sought to understand the experiences of Latino and non-Latino White parents who are raising a child with ASD. Results indicated similarities across all families that include: self-efficacy beliefs, challenges, stress and coping, and goals and expectations. Different themes emerged in the Latino families that were not evident in non-Latino White families. Specifically, Latino families emphasized religion and faith, involvement and love, extended family support, Latino pride, and importance of collaboration. Implications are discussed for further cross-cultural family studies, the need to inform healthcare professionals on the early signs of ASD especially with regard to culture, and the importance of collaboration among parents and professionals.

Sensory Features of Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We observed sensory features in toddlers ages 12-24 mo with risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explored their relationship to general development and early signs of ASD. Participants (N = 46) included toddlers with higher risk for ASD. All participants were administered standardized assessments of sensory features, early signs of ASD, and general development at a single study visit. Sensory features in toddlers were characterized as either adaptive or reactive. Toddlers with more difficulties in oral sensory processing displayed more early signs of ASD. Typical oral and auditory processing were associated with higher cognitive function, and toddlers with fewer sensory features overall had more mature language skills. Specific sensory features were associated with both early signs of ASD and less mature general development. Replication of this preliminary study is required.

Atypical object exploration in infants at-risk for autism during the first year of lifer.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed by the end of the second year of life. Early signs of ASD within the first year of life are still unclear. The main purpose of the present study was to compare object exploration skills between infants at-risk for ASD and typically developing (TD) infants to determine early markers for autism within the first year of life. Sixteen at-risk infants and 16 TD infants were longitudinally followed from 6 to 15 months of age during an object exploration task involving three objects with distinct size, shape, and texture, i.e., a long rattle, a rigid circular ball, and a soft circular koosh ball. All sessions were videotaped for coding of manual exploration (grasping and dropping), oral exploration (mouthing), and visual exploration (looking). We also obtained follow-up outcomes using various developmental questionnaires at 18 months and email follow-up on developmental delays/ASD diagnosis after the infants’ second birthdays. Our results showed object-based differences in exploration patterns that extended across both groups. We also noticed context-dependent group differences for various exploratory behaviors across objects and ages. Specifically, at 6 months, at-risk infants showed less grasping of the rigid ball as well as less mouthing and greater looking at the rattle compared to TD infants. At 9 and 12 months, at-risk infants demonstrated significantly lower levels of purposeful dropping of all objects and greater looking at the rattle. Lastly, at 15 months, at-risk infants showed persistent mouthing of the rigid ball and rattle compared to TD infants. In addition, 10 out of 16 at-risk infants developed various motor, social, and language delays or ASD diagnosis at follow-up. Taken together, early context-dependent delays/abnormalities in object exploration could be markers for future developmental delays in infants at-risk for autism. Moreover, promoting early object experiences through socially embedded, free and structured play could have significant implications for multisystem development including perceptuo-motor, social communication, and cognitive development in at-risk infants.

Age at first autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: the role of birth cohort, demographic factors, and clinical features.

This study sought to identify factors that may be associated with delays in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, including birth cohort, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical features. Participants included 1716 children and adolescents with ASD enrolled in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (AS-ATN) between the years 2008 and 2011. Data were collected at enrollment using AS-ATN parent- and clinician-report forms and standardized measures of I.Q., ASD symptoms, adaptive function, and psychiatric symptoms. Age at first ASD diagnosis was positively correlated with current age, suggesting a birth cohort effect. Sociodemographic and clinical features were also associated with age at diagnosis, even after controlling for current age. Hierarchical linear regression results showed that older current age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), higher I.Q. score, and lower levels of autism symptoms were associated with later age at initial diagnosis. There was also a significant interaction between current age and I.Q., with higher functioning children being diagnosed at younger ages than in previous years. Early diagnosis of ASD is critically important for improving access to interventions; however, many children experience diagnostic delays. In this sample, children from the most recent birth cohorts were diagnosed earlier, suggesting that early signs of ASD are being increasingly recognized. However, socioeconomic barriers to diagnosis still seem to exist. Children with less severe ASD symptoms and with higher I.Q. are also diagnosed at later ages. Efforts are still needed to reduce diagnostic disparities for families of low SES and to improve early recognition of more subtle symptoms.

Developmental Surveillance of Infants and Toddlers by Maternal and Child Health Nurses in an Australian Community-Based Setting: Promoting the Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Although signs of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are evident during the first year of life, few children are diagnosed prior to 3 years. The objective in this article is to highlight the role that primary health care professionals can play in the early identification of ASDs by briefly outlining the successful implementation of The Social Attention and Communication Study. Maternal and child health nurses were trained on the early signs of ASDs, which enabled them to identify these children prior to 2 years. The training procedure used will be outlined, and the early signs that were monitored will be explained in detail. It is recommended that routine monitoring for ASDs in infancy and toddlerhood become standard practice among all primary health care professionals.

Prospective Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infancy and Toddlerhood Using Developmental Surveillance: The Social Attention and Communication Study

Despite behavioral markers of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) being evident within the first year of life, there remains little research on the prospective identification of these children in a community-based setting before 18 months. The aim in the Social Attention and Communication Study was to identify infants and toddlers at risk of an ASD during their first 2 years. A total of 241 Maternal and Child Health nurses were trained on the early signs of ASDs at 8, 12, 18 and 24 months. Using a developmental surveillance approach with a community-based sample, a cohort of 20,770 children was monitored on early social attention and communication behaviors. Those infants/toddlers identified as "at risk" were referred to the Social Attention and Communication Study team from 12 months for developmental and diagnostic assessments at 6 monthly intervals, until 24 months. A total of 216 children were referred, with 110 being further assessed. Of these, 89 children were classified with an ASD at 24 months, and 20 children had developmental and/or language delays, resulting in a Positive Predictive value of 81%. The estimated rate of ASDs in the Social Attention and Communication Study cohort ranged from 1:119 to 1:233 children. Estimated sensitivity ranged from 69% to 83.8%, and estimated specificity ranged from 99.8% to 99.9%. Developmental surveillance of social and communication behaviors, which differ according to the age at which the child is monitored, enables the accurate identification of children at risk for ASDs between 12 and 24 months. Education on the early signs is recommended for all primary health care professionals to facilitate early identification of ASDs.