Autism is a brain-based disorder characterized by significant impairment in communication and emotional understanding/expression in the presence of stereotyped interests and activities. It is typically not diagnosed until 3 years of age. Yet there is evidence that the brain abnormality in autism has its origin in prenatal life or at birth. This project aims to improve outcome in toddlers with autism by facilitating access to earlier intervention and by identifying critical targets for early intervention. Four groups of toddlers will participate in this prospective, longitudinal study of autism: siblings of children with autism, late talkers referred by local professionals (having no family history of autism), toddlers with non-familial autism, and typically developing controls. Assessments of general development, communication, and functions related to interpersonal synchrony (joint attention, contingent imitation, shared positive affect) will be conducted. Our preliminary evidence suggests that, by 18 months of age, autism can be differentiated from language delay based on functions related to interpersonal synchrony (joint attention, shared positive affect). This project will extend existing evidence that a disruption in interpersonal synchrony may differentiate autism from language delay in toddlers. We will test the hypothesis that targeting these interpersonal synchrony goals in early intervention may accelerate language and communication development, and ultimately improve outcomes for children with autism. This project also aims to define early neurobiological mechanisms that may lead to improved medical interventions for autism.
| Yerys, Benjamin E; Gordon, Evan M; Abrams, Danielle N et al. (2015) Default mode network segregation and social deficits in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from non-medicated children. Neuroimage Clin 9:223-32 |
| Yerys, Benjamin E; Antezana, Ligia; Weinblatt, Rachel et al. (2015) Neural Correlates of Set-Shifting in Children With Autism. Autism Res 8:386-97 |
| Washington, Stuart D; VanMeter, John W (2015) Anterior-Posterior Connectivity within the Default Mode Network Increases During Maturation. Int J Med Biol Front 21:207-218 |
| Washington, Stuart D; Gordon, Evan M; Brar, Jasmit et al. (2014) Dysmaturation of the default mode network in autism. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1284-96 |
| Freilich, Emily R; Schreiber, John M; Zelleke, Tesfaye et al. (2014) Pediatric status epilepticus: identification and evaluation. Curr Opin Pediatr 26:655-61 |
| Anthony, Laura Gutermuth; Kenworthy, Lauren; Yerys, Benjamin E et al. (2013) Interests in high-functioning autism are more intense, interfering, and idiosyncratic than those in neurotypical development. Dev Psychopathol 25:643-52 |
| Messinger, Daniel; Young, Gregory S; Ozonoff, Sally et al. (2013) Beyond autism: a baby siblings research consortium study of high-risk children at three years of age. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 52:300-308.e1 |
| Bal, Elgiz; Yerys, Benjamin E; Sokoloff, Jennifer L et al. (2013) Do Social Attribution Skills Improve with Age in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders? Res Autism Spectr Disord 7:9-16 |
| Landa, Rebecca J; Gross, Alden L; Stuart, Elizabeth A et al. (2013) Developmental trajectories in children with and without autism spectrum disorders: the first 3 years. Child Dev 84:429-42 |
| Tek, Saime; Landa, Rebecca J (2012) Differences in autism symptoms between minority and non-minority toddlers. J Autism Dev Disord 42:1967-73 |
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