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Concern for Another’s Distress in Toddlers at High and Low Genetic Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders volume 45, pages 3594–3605 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

We examined concern for others in 22-month-old toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low risk typically-developing toddlers with older siblings. Responses to a crying infant and an adult social partner who pretended to hurt her finger were coded. Children with a later diagnosis of ASD showed limited empathic concern in either context compared to low risk toddlers. High risk toddlers without a later diagnosis fell between the ASD and low risk groups. During the crying baby probe the low risk and high risk toddlers without a diagnosis engaged their parent more often than the toddlers with ASD. Low levels of empathic concern and engagement with parents may signal emerging ASD in toddlerhood.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health R01 MH091036 to Dr. Campbell. We thank Dr. Nancy Minshew, Dr. Mark Strauss, Dr. Carla Mazefsky, Dr. Holly Gastgeb, Ms. Stacey Becker, and the staff at Autism Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh for overseeing recruitment and assessment of participating families. The Autism Center of Excellence was supported by Award Number HD055748 (PI Minshew) from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Recruitment was also facilitated by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, supported by the National Institutes of Health through Grant Numbers UL1 RR024153 and UL1TR000005. Thanks are due to Kristen Decker, Stephanie Fox, Phebe Lockyer, and Amanda Mahoney for overseeing data collection, and to Ari Fish, Kendra Guinness, Michelle Meyer, Elizabeth Moore, and Jenna Obitko for assistance with data collection and coding. Special thanks go to the parents and children who participated in this study.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA

    Susan B. Campbell, Nina B. Leezenbaum, Emily N. Schmidt, Taylor N. Day & Celia A. Brownell

Authors
  1. Susan B. Campbell
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  2. Nina B. Leezenbaum
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  3. Emily N. Schmidt
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  4. Taylor N. Day
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  5. Celia A. Brownell
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Correspondence to Susan B. Campbell.

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Campbell, S.B., Leezenbaum, N.B., Schmidt, E.N. et al. Concern for Another’s Distress in Toddlers at High and Low Genetic Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 3594–3605 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2505-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2505-7

Keywords

  • High-risk siblings
  • Empathic concern
  • Responses to distress
  • Engagement with parents
  • Autism spectrum disorder