Play and developmental outcomes in infant siblings of children with autism.
We observed infant siblings of children with autism later diagnosed with ASD (ASD siblings; n = 17), infant siblings of children with autism with and without other delays (Other Delays and No Delays siblings; n = 12 and n = 19, respectively) and typically developing controls (TD controls; n = 19) during a free-play task at 18 months of age. Functional, symbolic, and repeated play actions were coded. ASD siblings showed fewer functional and more non-functional repeated play behaviors than TD controls. Other Delays and No Delays siblings showed more non-functional repeated play than TD controls. Group differences disappeared with the inclusion of verbal mental age. Play as an early indicator of autism and its relationship to the broader autism phenotype is discussed.
Christensen
Lisa
L
Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1237 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. lchriste@ucla.edu
Hutman
Ted
T
Rozga
Agata
A
Young
Gregory S
GS
Ozonoff
Sally
S
Rogers
Sally J
SJ
Baker
Bruce
B
Sigman
Marian
M
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*