Video technology is helping researchers learn more about the early communication style of infants with a family history of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
Research has shown children with a family history of autism are more likely to develop autism or other developmental disorders, with children who have a full sibling or biological parent with autism 20 per cent more likely to develop the condition.
This knowledge has spurred CliniKids, the first clinical branch of The Kids Research Institute Australia, to launch a trial that uses video technology to enhance positive brain development in babies from birth.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Director of CliniKids and The Kids Research Institute Australia Angela Wright Bennett Chair of Autism Research, said the Communicating and Understanding your Baby (CUB) Study built on a previous study which showed the benefits of video interventions on the development of infants.
“The CUB trial is helping researchers get one step closer to improving how we provide support to children on the autism spectrum,” Professor Whitehouse said.
“The CliniKids team is constantly searching for new ways to support families and using video feedback to support intervention is an exciting tool that we think has a lot of potential.
‘We already know that interactions between parents and babies are among the most influential in a child’s life.
“CUBS builds on that understanding. We want to see how video feedback may be able to help us maximise this critical window in a child’s life to help improve their language and social development and, ideally, limit any disability they may otherwise have experienced should they ultimately diagnosed with a developmental disorder.
“But even if a baby doesn’t end up with a developmental disorder, we believe this technology may still prove a valuable tool in helping to support parent-child communication and subsequent development – so really, it’s something which could help all parents.”
Parents receiving the novel therapy will be filmed interacting with their baby and will then work with a clinician to identify interaction and communication skills between the parent and babies.
“It’s too early to say whether the video interventions are working but there are some very promising signs,” Professor Whitehouse said.
“This study, and everything we do at CliniKids, is about pushing the boundaries of our clinical knowledge so we can help each and every child on the spectrum reach their full potential.”
Recruitment for the CUB Study is now under way. If you’re pregnant and your family has a history of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, we’d like to hear from you. Find out how to get involved here.