Parents who are trained to understand and respond to their baby’s communication cues may make a lasting difference. In a UK study of toddlers with a higher likelihood of autism (because an older sibling is autistic), children whose parents received this training showed fewer autism symptoms by the age of 3.
This research, reported here in 2017, followed up a study first published in 2015 that looked at the link between a video-feedback parenting program and early autism symptoms.
The study highlights the value of responsive, interactive parenting, and suggests that the positive effects can last for months to years and support the child’s wellbeing.
Jonathan Green, lead researcher and professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, says, “We seem to have a sustained effect on reducing symptoms.”
The earlier study, carried out in early 2015, involved a group of 28 babies who each had an older autistic sibling. These younger siblings, often called “baby sibs”, were described as around 20 times more likely than other children to be diagnosed with autism later on.
The original study followed the children up to age 3.
Connie Kasari, professor of human development and psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not involved in the study, highlighted its importance: it has a methodologically strong design and is one of the few successful randomized trials with infants at higher likelihood of autism.
To check their findings, the researchers followed the infants until age 3, a first in this field of research.
Inside the study
About one in five babies in the baby sibs group went on to receive a formal autism diagnosis. Some of those who did not meet the criteria for autism still showed some autistic traits, such as less interest in playing with peers or paying less attention when communicating with people close to them.
MUST READ: PECS Autism Communication Picture Cards
These differences can make back-and-forth interaction between a baby and their parents harder to get going, which is why the study focused on helping parents notice and respond to their child’s own ways of communicating.
The parents in the study took part in individualized training sessions that were carefully designed by therapists.
The sessions were spread over five months so parents could take in the content gradually.
Parents were filmed while playing and interacting with their children. Later, they watched the recordings with a therapist.
They were given feedback to help them notice their child’s cues and respond to them in a way that followed the child’s lead.
The parents were also asked to practice these skills for 20 minutes every day.
Parents of baby sibs in the comparison group did not receive the training. At the end of the sessions, the researchers assessed autism signs in both groups, using an autism observation scale designed for infants.
The scores suggested that the training improved parent and child interactions overall.
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
