The name is absent

Autism prodrome 23 of 89

identified: The first subgroup (6 siblings) displayed a decrease in IQ from average
functioning to severe cognitive impairment (up to 41 points) between 12 months and
36 months. The second subgroup (3 siblings) continued to obtain average or near
average scores from 12 months to 36 months. The emergence of ASD in all siblings
was associated with a distinct temperament profile characterized by marked
irritability, intolerance of intrusions, proneness to distress/negative affect, and
difficulties with self- or other-regulation of state.

This group of researchers (Loh et al., 2007) examined the stereotypic
movements and postures that occurred during standardized observational assessments
at 12 and 18 months and reported that SIBS-A who were later diagnosed with ASD
waved their arms more frequently than the non-ASD siblings and control groups at
both ages. More recently, Brian et al. (2008) examined the best behavioral markers of
ASD at age 18 month as derived from early measures (the ADOS: Autism diagnostic
observation schedule; Lord, Rutter, DiLavore, & Risi, 2002 and the AOSI: Autism
Observational Scale for Infants; Bryson, Zwaigenbaum, McDermott, Rombough, &
Brian, 2008) that contributed to the identification of ASD at 36 months. Most of the
best discriminators of later ASD emerged from the ADOS social and behavioral
domains (e.g., quality of social overtures, directed facial expression, repetitive
interests, hand and finger mannerisms, and sensory interests) as well as two non-
verbal items (i.e., pointing and gestures) from the ADOS communication domain.
Furthermore, the AOSI analysis included temperamental characteristics and
difficulties in motor control and/or coordination that were also best discriminators of
later ASD. In sum, this group of investigators emphasize the importance of
dimensions of temperament (i.e., state regulation, motor control and coordination), as
well as social-communication deficits when assessing toddlers for possible ASD.

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