Early Behavioral Intervention to Improve Social Communication Function in Infants with TSC

Abstract : Using a collaborative and multi-site model, this project rigorously tests an evidence-based intervention that is developmentally informed, child centered, and focused on early social communication domains of joint attention and joint engagement. Previous studies from our group have shown that infants with TSC are at high risk for ASD (up to 55 ) and that they show signs of ASD as early as 12 months of age. These data motivated us to begin to study the effects of early intervention in these high risk infants using an intervention that has been well studied in toddlers with ASD. Given the paucity of data on the effectiveness of behavioral intervention for infants with TSC, our primary goal is to determine if behavioral and electrophysiological indices of social communication function can be improved with a targeted, short term intervention. To Date, we have enrolled 7 participants into our study, 3 of whom have completed the intervention. Throughout the next reporting period, we will continue to focus on recruiting and enrolling participants into the study, and monitoring data collection to ensure the highest quality electrophysiological and behavioral data.