Preliminary item-level performance on developmental domain subtests with infants at low and high risk for autism
Presenter Type
UNO Undergraduate Student
Major/Field of Study
Special Education and Communication Disorders
Other
Communication Disorders
Advisor Information
Shari DeVeney
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
36x48
Start Date
22-3-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
22-3-2024 2:15 PM
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the pediatric population under 8 years of age has quadrupled since the early 2000s and increased rapidly in recent years. Currently, there is limited knowledge of the at-risk behaviors that occur throughout infanthood and toddlerhood associated with the early identification of children with ASD. If infants can be identified for ASD earlier and with greater accuracy, they can be better connected with meaningful early intervention services. Two groups considered high risk for a later diagnosis of ASD include infants born prematurely with low birth weight and infants who are younger siblings of older children diagnosed with ASD. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) is a standardized assessment that includes various subtests of developmental skills such as gross motor, visual reception, fine motor, expressive language, and receptive language. For the present exploratory study, this assessment was conducted at 6 months and 12 months with a total of 44 infants who were divided into the three groups: those at low risk (n=31), those at high risk due to prematurity with low birth weight (n=8), and those at high risk because they have an older sibling already diagnosed with ASD (n=5). An item analysis of the MSEL with these groups was conducted to highlight meaningful differences in performance (i.e., item failure rates) between groups. Statistical analyses were conducted and will be discussed as part of the poster presentation as well as discussion of implications.
Preliminary item-level performance on developmental domain subtests with infants at low and high risk for autism
CEC RM #201/205/209
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the pediatric population under 8 years of age has quadrupled since the early 2000s and increased rapidly in recent years. Currently, there is limited knowledge of the at-risk behaviors that occur throughout infanthood and toddlerhood associated with the early identification of children with ASD. If infants can be identified for ASD earlier and with greater accuracy, they can be better connected with meaningful early intervention services. Two groups considered high risk for a later diagnosis of ASD include infants born prematurely with low birth weight and infants who are younger siblings of older children diagnosed with ASD. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) is a standardized assessment that includes various subtests of developmental skills such as gross motor, visual reception, fine motor, expressive language, and receptive language. For the present exploratory study, this assessment was conducted at 6 months and 12 months with a total of 44 infants who were divided into the three groups: those at low risk (n=31), those at high risk due to prematurity with low birth weight (n=8), and those at high risk because they have an older sibling already diagnosed with ASD (n=5). An item analysis of the MSEL with these groups was conducted to highlight meaningful differences in performance (i.e., item failure rates) between groups. Statistical analyses were conducted and will be discussed as part of the poster presentation as well as discussion of implications.