01-06-2013 | Original Paper
What Do Repetitive and Stereotyped Movements Mean for Infant Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 6/2013
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Repetitive and stereotyped movements (RSMs) in infancy are associated with later diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet this relationship has not been fully explored in high-risk populations. The current study investigated how RSMs involving object and body use are related to diagnostic outcomes in infant siblings of children with ASD (Sibs-ASD) and typically developing children (Sibs-TD). The rate and number of different types of RSMs were measured at an average of 15 months with follow-up diagnostic evaluations approximately 18 months later. While Sibs-ASD displayed higher rates of RSMs relative to Sibs-TD, rates did not differ according to diagnostic outcome in Sibs-ASD. However preliminary evidence suggests that qualitative differences in RSM type warrant further investigation as early diagnostic markers.