Any omissions or errors are my own contributions. -SR
S. Ozonoff, UC Davis MIND Institute
Abstract: http://imfar.confex.com/imfar/2011/webprogram/Paper7878.html
The study was a collaborative effort between UC Davis's MIND Institute and the University of Colorado.
We usually think of autism onset in terms of two categories:
The study looked at two questions:
The researchers focused on four social/communication behaviors:
The reachers actually saw three primary onset trajectory models, not two:
When the statistics were reviewed, two categories appeared insufficient for describing autism onset. Three might be insufficient as well.
Parent reports were very different than video evidence, statistically. Parents were good observers and reporters of their children's current behavior, but poor reporters of kids' behaviors in past compared to present behaviors.
Resulting questions:
S. Ozonoff, UC Davis MIND Institute
Abstract: http://imfar.confex.com/imfar/2011/webprogram/Paper7878.html
The study was a collaborative effort between UC Davis's MIND Institute and the University of Colorado.
We usually think of autism onset in terms of two categories:
- Autism symptoms that appear early in life, before 1st birthday, or
- A child who loses previously acquired skills after the first birthday
The study looked at two questions:
- Are two categories sufficient to describe onset?
- How do home video and parent reports correspond?
The researchers focused on four social/communication behaviors:
- Eye contact
- Social smiles
- Joint attention
- Language
The reachers actually saw three primary onset trajectory models, not two:
- Early onset
- Regressive
- Plateau -- typical levels of social communication level off at 6 months, with no progress over time
When the statistics were reviewed, two categories appeared insufficient for describing autism onset. Three might be insufficient as well.
Parent reports were very different than video evidence, statistically. Parents were good observers and reporters of their children's current behavior, but poor reporters of kids' behaviors in past compared to present behaviors.
Resulting questions:
- Can we improve parent reporting?
- Can we come up with other ways to report onset?
We need to make sure we are putting kids into the right group!
SR disclosure: My family participated in MIND Institute studies on autism and regression that included supplying home videos.
SR disclosure: My family participated in MIND Institute studies on autism and regression that included supplying home videos.