Abstract
We developed and evaluated a new parent report instrument—Parent Observation of Early Markers Scale (POEMS)—to monitor the
behavioral development of infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because they have older affected siblings. Parents
of 108 at-risk infants (74 males, 34 females) completed the POEMS from child age 1–24 months. The POEMS had acceptable psychometric
properties and promising predictive validity. Most concerning items were social and communication deficits, and intolerance
to waiting. Results provide preliminary evidence that prospective parent report measures can help to detect early ASD symptoms
in infants at biological risk. We invite researchers to join us in multi-center studies of the POEMS.
behavioral development of infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because they have older affected siblings. Parents
of 108 at-risk infants (74 males, 34 females) completed the POEMS from child age 1–24 months. The POEMS had acceptable psychometric
properties and promising predictive validity. Most concerning items were social and communication deficits, and intolerance
to waiting. Results provide preliminary evidence that prospective parent report measures can help to detect early ASD symptoms
in infants at biological risk. We invite researchers to join us in multi-center studies of the POEMS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1208-y
- Authors
- Maurice A. Feldman, Centre for Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St., Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
- Rebecca A. Ward, Centre for Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St., Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
- Danielle Savona, Centre for Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St., Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
- Kaleigh Regehr, Centre for Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St., Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
- Kevin Parker, Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Melissa Hudson, Autism Research Program, Departments of Psychiatry and Physiology, Queen’s University, 191 Portsmouth Ave., Kingston, ON K7M 8A6, Canada
- Henderika Penning, Equity Office, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Jeanette J. A. Holden, Autism Research Program, Departments of Psychiatry and Physiology, Queen’s University, 191 Portsmouth Ave., Kingston, ON K7M 8A6, Canada
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257