Early fine motor skills predict later ASD symptoms

A recent study from a multi-site research group focused on identification of early behaviors in infants at risk for developing ASD, investigated motor skills development in younger siblings of individuals with ASD. Findings revealed poorer performance on early fine motor skills in high risk infant siblings when compared to infants who did not have siblings with ASD and are at low risk for developing ASD. Further, within the high risk sibling group, poorer fine motor skills at 6 months of age predicted greater ASD symptom severity at 36 months of age, suggesting that early fine motor skills may help identify infants at higher risk for ASD. This study highlights the importance of studying early behavioral markers that may help aid in identifying infants who are at risk for developing ASD.

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