Autism identified in first few months of life - a new study

Credit:  Microsoft

Signs of autism were found in infants as young as two months, according to research published November 6.  Using eye tracking technology, researchers followed infants from the time of birth until age 3.  The eye tracking technology measured the children's responses to social cues and specifically how they responded visually. Researchers observed declining visual attention in the infants who were later diagnosed with autism.  

"We found a steady decline in attention to other people's eyes, from 2 until 24 months, in infants later diagnosed with autism," said co-investigator Ami Klin, Ph.D. Differences were apparent even within the first 6 months, which has profound implications. "First, these results reveal that there are measurable and identifiable differences present already before 6 months. And second, we observed declining eye fixation over time, rather than an outright absence. Both these factors have the potential to dramatically shift the possibilities for future strategies of early intervention."

Credit:  Microsoft

The research was the result of a collaboration between three institutions the Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.  If the small study can be replicated in a larger population, it might provide a way of diagnosing autism in infants so that therapies can begin early, said Warren Jones, the lead author of the study.

The study, Attention to Eyes is Present But In Decline in 2-6 Month-Olds Later Diagnosed with Autism, is published online in the journal Nature.

Detailed information on the study can be found on Nature.com.

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action