BIROn - Birkbeck Institutional Research Online

Developmental pathways to autism: a review of prospective studies of infants at risk

Jones, Emily J.H. and Gliga, Teodora and Bedford, Rachael and Charman, T. and Johnson, Mark H. (2014) Developmental pathways to autism: a review of prospective studies of infants at risk. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 39 , pp. 1-33. ISSN 0149-7634.

[img]
Preview
Text
8960.pdf - Published Version of Record
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Symptoms of ASD likely emerge from a complex interaction between pre-existing neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities and the child's environment, modified by compensatory skills and protective factors. Prospective studies of infants at high familial risk for ASD (who have an older sibling with a diagnosis) are beginning to characterize these developmental pathways to the emergence of clinical symptoms. Here, we review the range of behavioral and neurocognitive markers for later ASD that have been identified in high-risk infants in the first years of life. We discuss theoretical implications of emerging patterns, and identify key directions for future work, including potential resolutions to several methodological challenges for the field. Mapping how ASD unfolds from birth is critical to our understanding of the developmental mechanisms underlying this disorder. A more nuanced understanding of developmental pathways to ASD will help us not only to identify children who need early intervention, but also to improve the range of interventions available to them.

Metadata

Item Type: Article
School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
Research Centres and Institutes: Brain and Cognitive Development, Centre for (CBCD)
Depositing User: Administrator
Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2014 13:46
Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 17:09
URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/8960

Statistics

6 month trend
945Downloads
6 month trend
860Hits

Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.

Archive Staff Only (login required)

Edit/View Item
Edit/View Item