Joint attention behavior as an early marker for Autism Spectrum Disorder in infants at risk

The main objective of the present project is to explore joint attention behaviors as an early predictor for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within a population of infants at high risk to develop the disorder. More specifically, we will first test the hypothesis that visual disengagement, a cognitive skill associated with joint attention skills during early infancy, will strengthen the predictive value of joint attention for diagnosis of ASD. Secondly, we make the hypothesis that extended joint attention measures (e.g. frequency or specific gestural behaviors such as pointing), will further predict ASD diagnosis and declining social-communicative functioning of at high-risk infants. This project will be embedded within the existing cohort of the Canadian Infant Sibling Study, in order to ensure feasibility as well as research and clinical support fundamental to this type of study.