Out of the mouths of babes: vocal production in infant siblings of children with ASD

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Rhea Paul, Yale Child Study Center; Yael Fuerst, Southern Connecticut State University; Gordon Ramsay, Emory University; Kasia Chawarska, Yale Child Study Center; Ami Klin, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-05-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry © 2010 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02332.x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0021-9630
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 588
• End Page: 598
• Grant/Funding Information: Preparation of this paper was supported by NIMH Autism Center of Excellence grant P50 MH81756; Research Grant P01-03008 funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); MidCareer Development Award K24 HD045576 funded by NIDCD to Rhea Paul; as well as by the Simons Foundation.
• Keywords: PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS; FOLLOW-UP; vocalization; Social Sciences; 2ND YEAR; Psychology, Developmental; FAMILIAL AGGREGATION; speech; Science & Technology; LANGUAGE; EARLY LEXICAL ACQUISITION; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; BROADER PHENOTYPE; Psychiatry; Psychology; AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; infant siblings; PHONOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; Autism
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Health Sciences, Human Development

Abstract

Background: Younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at higher risk for acquiring these disorders than the general population. Language development is usually delayed in children with ASD. The present study examines the development of pre-speech vocal behavior in infants at risk for ASD due to the presence of an older sibling with the disorder. Methods: Infants at high risk (HR) for ASD and those at low risk, without a diagnosed sibling (LR), were seen at 6, 9, and 12 months as part of a larger prospective study of risk for ASD in infant siblings. Standard clinical assessments were administered, and vocalization samples were collected during play with mother and a standard set of toys. Infant vocal behavior was recorded and analyzed for consonant inventory, presence of canonical syllables, and of non-speech vocalizations, in a cross-sectional design. Children were seen again at 24 months for provisional diagnosis. Results: Differences were seen between risk groups for certain vocal behaviors. Differences in vocal production in the first year of life were associated with outcomes in terms of autistic symptomotology in the second year. Conclusions: Early vocal behavior is a sensitive indicator of heightened risk for autistic symptoms in infants with a family history of ASD.