A recent study by the UC Davis MIND Institute has shown that infants who have a sibling with autism are at a significantly higher risk (about 20%) of developing the condition themselves compared to infants without any autistic siblings.
However, a question often left raised is, “Are infants with a parent who has a sibling with autism also at a higher risk?” If my brother is Autistic, can my child have the potential of being Autistic?
Or put it this way: if your brother is Autistic, is there a high chance your child will be Autistic? There’s a new study being conducted by researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute that aims to provide insight into these tricky questions.
Research procedure
To gather more information, researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute seek to recruit infants aged 6-18 months with an autistic aunt or uncle. By studying this group of children, the goal is to determine whether infants with a parent who has a sibling with autism are also at a higher risk.
In an interview with, Research Team leader Professor Sally Ozonoff, expressed her excitement for this project, explaining that it could lead to earlier diagnosis and support for children who need it.
She also explained that the team will collect information about the infants’ development through observations and conversations with their parents. These one- to two-hour evaluations will be conducted in person at the MIND Institute or through telehealth.
The Research Focus
Professor Ozonof also expressed her confidence in the study, stating that “it’s a big advantage” because the children are being evaluated at a young age, and the sample size of participant infants is large. The study, known as the Next Gen Sibs Project, is being funded by the nonprofit Autism Science Foundation and conducted at multiple sites, including Emory University, UCLA, and the University of Alberta in Canada.
Participation Approach
For those interested in participating, the study is currently open to infants between 6 and 18 months of age who have a family history of autism through an aunt or uncle. Parents of participants will be required to complete online questionnaires and attend up to five evaluations, either in person at the UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento or through telehealth services. Parents or guardians will receive valuable feedback from experts on their baby’s development as a benefit of their participation.
They will also be given a $50 Amazon gift code after each visit. Further information about the study can be obtained by contacting 916-703-0401 or email at slmaqbool@ucdavis.edu.
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