Early Motor and Language Development in Infants at Elevated Likelihood for Autism

During the early stages of infant development, various emerging skills set the foundation for more complex abilities. One such connection is the development of motor skills, which play a crucial role in influencing language outcomes later in the infants' first year. Although these developmental cascades are well understood in typically-developing populations, less is known about the cascade in infants at elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have motor delays or language delays, suggesting that the cascade from motor to language may not be typical in this population. Additionally, little is known about how motor abilities may impact later social communication abilities, not just language abilities. This study therefore aims to explore the relationship between motor behaviors during play with a parent and motor abilities at 8 months with social communication at 18 months in infants at elevated likelihood for ASD. Touch behaviors to toys were assessed during a parent-infant toy play session while equipped with head-mounted eye-trackers. Motor abilities were assessed with the Early Motor Questionnaire, and social communication abilities were assessed with the Communication and Social Behavior Scales. We found no relationship between motor behaviors or motor abilities with social communication. Our results suggest that the developmental cascade from motor to language may not be present in infants at an elevated likelihood for ASD or may not extend to social communication abilities.