A Prodromal Intervention Programme for Infant Siblings

An infancy (10-14 months of age) intervention programme with families of infant siblings autistic probands (initial case series  (n=7) and a pilot RCT has brought to light a number of ethical issues related to a prodromal, prevention, programme.  The presentation will describe the ‘three level’ theory and empirical background to this intervention procedure and our apriori basis for thinking that it may improve the developmental trajectory of risk infants. Design issues  involving:  i) the heterogeneity of risk in the sample and outcome trajectories in autism generally; ii) levels of measurement from the behavioural to biological, and iii) adapted analytic design will be discussed.  Early infant outcome data will be shared,  including the feasibility and acceptability of the programme for parents.