The first six months of life: A systematic review of early markers associated with later autism

Dominique B Cleary; Murray T Maybery; Cherie Green; Andrew J O Whitehouse

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105304

The first six months of life: A systematic review of early markers associated with later autism

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Sep:152:105304. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105304. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Authors

Dominique B Cleary¹, Murray T Maybery², Cherie Green³, Andrew J O Whitehouse⁴

Affiliations

¹ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Dominique.Cleary@research.uwa.edu.au.
² School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Australia.
³ La Trobe University, Australia.
⁴ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Australia.

PMID: 37406749
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105304

Abstract

There is now good evidence that behavioural signs of autism spectrum conditions (autism) emerge over the first two years of life. Identifying clear developmental differences early in life may facilitate earlier identification and intervention that can promote longer-term quality of life. Here we present a systematic review of studies investigating behavioural markers of later autism diagnosis or symptomology taken at 0-6 months. The following databases were searched for articles published between 01/01/2000 and 15/03/2022: Embase, Medline, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and Proquest. Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria: assessment of behaviour at 0-6 months and later assessment of autism symptomology or diagnosis. Studies examined behaviours of attention, early social and communication behaviours, and motor behaviours, as well as composite measures. Findings indicated some evidence of measures of general attention, attention to social stimuli, and motor behaviours associated with later autism diagnosis or symptomology. Findings were inconsistent regarding social and communication behaviours, with a lack of repeated or validated measures limiting drawing firm conclusions. We discuss implications of the findings and suggest recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Development; Early behavioural markers; Infancy; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
Communication
Humans
Quality of Life