2014 International Meeting for Autism Research

May 14 - 17, 2014

Infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders are at increased risk for developing the disorder, and, even when unaffected, often show early signs consistent with ASD symptoms. Tracking early development in infant siblings of children with ASD can help with identifying early precursors to the development of ASD. Researchers who have been following children with ASD have noted that some children who show early signs associated with ASD later show patterns more consistent with typical development. An important, but often overlooked research question is what factors protect infants at risk from developing ASD. The talks in the proposed symposium describe studies of children who show trajectories of development that are consistent with resilient development. The presentations using converging methods including eye tracking and behavioral assessments to show patterns of improving trajectory and lessening symptoms in a subset of children who show early characteristics of ASD. Presentations will also discuss possible mechanisms for resilience, including early infant-caregiver interactions and looking behavior. We will also discuss implications of resilience for developing early intervention and prevention strategies.