Research Studies

A Study of Infant Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

A joint research project of The Children's Hospital in Hamilton (Hamilton Health Sciences) and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the IWK Health Centre in Halifax

Principal Investigators: Lonnie Zwaigenbaum MD FRCP(C) Susan Bryson PhD
Co-Investigators: Peter Szatmari MD FRCP(C), Isabel Smith PhD, Wendy Roberts MD

By following the development of infant siblings of children already diagnosed with autism, we are working to identify early behavioural markers of the condition so that interventions can be initiated much earlier than is the case now.

Our infant sibling study looks at the early development of siblings of children with autism/PDD. While most siblings develop in an entirely typical fashion, some siblings do show some differences in how they communicate, interact, and play, compared to other infants of the same age. We have developed a new observational tool that has helped us to elicit and thoroughly document these atypical patterns of development. This has helped us to identify which infants require closer follow-up, and to make suggestions to families on what may be helpful for building their infants' skills. Read about our early findings.

We are no longer recruiting new families in Hamilton but the project continues to recruit at our other sites. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us directly at our research sites in Toronto, Halifax and Edmonton:

Bonnie MacKinnon
Autism Research Unit
The Hospital for Sick Children
(416) 813-8748
bonnie.mackinnoin@sickkids.ca

Terry McCornick
IWK Health Centre/Dalhousie
(902)470-7275
theresa.mccormick@iwk.nshealth.ca

Wendy Mitchell
Autism Research Centre of Excellence
Glelnrose Rehabilitation Hospital
(780) 735-8283
wendy.mitchell@capitalhealth.ca