2023
The Selective Social Attention task in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC‐CT) feasibility study
Shic F, Barney E, Naples A, Dommer K, Chang S, Li B, McAllister T, Atyabi A, Wang Q, Bernier R, Dawson G, Dziura J, Faja S, Jeste S, Murias M, Johnson S, Sabatos‐DeVito M, Helleman G, Senturk D, Sugar C, Webb S, McPartland J, Chawarska K, Trials T. The Selective Social Attention task in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC‐CT) feasibility study. Autism Research 2023, 16: 2150-2159. PMID: 37749934, PMCID: PMC11003770, DOI: 10.1002/aur.3026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderSocial attention taskSchool-aged childrenAttention taskASD groupSpectrum disorderEye-tracking taskTotal T-scoreAttentional patternsAutism spectrumTD groupPresentation timeTrial feasibility studyGroup differencesPercent of timeOlder childrenTaskComparison groupToddlersT-scoreChildrenChildren 4Outcome variablesFaceCondition effects
2022
Hypoconnectivity between anterior insula and amygdala associates with future vulnerabilities in social development in a neurodiverse sample of neonates
Scheinost D, Chang J, Lacadie C, Brennan-Wydra E, Foster R, Boxberger A, Macari S, Vernetti A, Constable RT, Ment LR, Chawarska K. Hypoconnectivity between anterior insula and amygdala associates with future vulnerabilities in social development in a neurodiverse sample of neonates. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 16230. PMID: 36171268, PMCID: PMC9517994, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20617-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirst Year InventoryAnterior insulaFunctional connectivityMaternal mental health factorsLeft anterior insulaState functional connectivityMental health factorsSubsample of participantsPostmenstrual ageSalience networkFamily historySocial domainsNeural circuitryAutismSocial behaviorBrain imagingHigher likelihoodInsulaSocial developmentHypoconnectivityExploratory analysisThird trimesterFuture onsetHealth factorsRisk scoreEarly predictors of language skills at 3 years of age vary based on diagnostic outcome: A baby siblings research consortium study
Pecukonis M, Young GS, Brian J, Charman T, Chawarska K, Elsabbagh M, Iverson JM, Jeste S, Landa R, Messinger DS, Schwichtenberg AJ, Webb SJ, Zwaigenbaum L, Tager‐Flusberg H. Early predictors of language skills at 3 years of age vary based on diagnostic outcome: A baby siblings research consortium study. Autism Research 2022, 15: 1324-1335. PMID: 35652157, PMCID: PMC9253079, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2760.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderLow familial riskLanguage skillsASD groupElevated familial riskGesture's abilityLanguage developmentSpectrum disorderMaternal education levelIntervention servicesFamilial riskAutism spectrumLR infantsEarly predictorDiagnostic outcomesSkillsPresent studyPredictor variablesEducation levelPredictorsDisordersYears of ageInfantsAbilityOutcomesAttention to audiovisual speech does not facilitate language acquisition in infants with familial history of autism
Chawarska K, Lewkowicz D, Feiner H, Macari S, Vernetti A. Attention to audiovisual speech does not facilitate language acquisition in infants with familial history of autism. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2022, 63: 1466-1476. PMID: 35244219, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13595.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExpressive language scoresLanguage outcomesAudiovisual cuesSpeaker's faceLanguage scoresLanguage acquisitionLanguage delayBetter language outcomesSiblings of childrenFamilial riskLow familial riskPoor language outcomesLow-risk infantsAudiovisual speechIntact attentionSpeech cuesHigh familial riskPromising endophenotypeASD diagnosisSpeech processingCuesHigh-risk infantsAutismASDFace
2021
What are we optimizing for in autism screening? Examination of algorithmic changes in the M‐CHAT
Schjølberg S, Shic F, Volkmar FR, Nordahl‐Hansen A, Stenberg N, Torske T, Larsen K, Riley K, Sukhodolsky DG, Leckman JF, Chawarska K, Øien RA. What are we optimizing for in autism screening? Examination of algorithmic changes in the M‐CHAT. Autism Research 2021, 15: 296-304. PMID: 34837355, PMCID: PMC8821132, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAtypical Intrinsic Hemispheric Interaction Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Present within the First Year of Life
Rolison M, Lacadie C, Chawarska K, Spann M, Scheinost D. Atypical Intrinsic Hemispheric Interaction Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Present within the First Year of Life. Cerebral Cortex 2021, 32: 1212-1222. PMID: 34424949, PMCID: PMC8924430, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab284.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Attend Less, Fear More: Elevated Distress to Social Threat in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Macari SL, Vernetti A, Chawarska K. Attend Less, Fear More: Elevated Distress to Social Threat in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research 2020, 14: 1025-1036. PMID: 33283976, PMCID: PMC7772932, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2448.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism symptom severitySocial threatEmotional reactivityNegative emotional responsesER strategiesAmbiguous threatThreat valueEmotional responsesSocial situationsAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2Potential social threatEmotion regulation strategiesER strategy useDifferential emotional reactivitySymptom severityMechanisms of changeIntensity of distressNonsocial stimuliNonsocial threatAttentional salienceTD toddlersEmotional salienceAutism phenotypeAutism severityRegulation strategiesAtypical Emotional Electrodermal Activity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Vernetti A, Shic F, Boccanfuso L, Macari S, Kane‐Grade F, Milgramm A, Hilton E, Heymann P, Goodwin MS, Chawarska K. Atypical Emotional Electrodermal Activity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research 2020, 13: 1476-1488. PMID: 32896980, PMCID: PMC10081486, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2374.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderPhysiological arousalTypical developmentEmotional challengesAge-matched toddlersAutism symptom severityEmotion-eliciting conditionsCore ASD symptomsSeverity of autismSkin conductance levelFear emotionCognitive processesFear conditionTD peersASD groupEmotional expressivityEmotional expressionASD symptomsPleasant eventsExternalizing problemsSpectrum disorderThreatening eventsUnderstanding of precursorsBehavioral problemsBehavioral expressionFunctional Outcomes of Children Identified Early in the Developmental Period as at Risk for ASD Utilizing the The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
Stenberg N, Schjølberg S, Shic F, Volkmar F, Øyen AS, Bresnahan M, Svendsen BK, von Tetzchner S, Thronæs NT, Macari S, Cicchetti DV, Chawarska K, Suren P, Øien RA. Functional Outcomes of Children Identified Early in the Developmental Period as at Risk for ASD Utilizing the The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders 2020, 51: 922-932. PMID: 32424708, PMCID: PMC7954713, DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04539-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderChild Cohort StudyCohort studyAutism symptomsLanguage disordersM-CHATSpectrum disorderLower IQDevelopmental concernsNorwegian MotherDevelopmental periodIntellectual disabilityEarly interventionBirth cohort studyMonths of ageChildrenItem criteriaFunctional outcomeBetter outcomesGreater severitySwift accessEarly identificationIQDisordersFathers
2017
Neurocognitive Outcomes at 10 Years of Age in Extremely Preterm Newborns with Late-Onset Bacteremia
Bright H, Babata K, Allred E, Erdei C, Kuban K, Joseph R, O'Shea T, Leviton A, Dammann O, Investigators E, Ware J, Coster T, Hanson B, Wilson R, McGhee K, Lee P, Asgarian A, Sadhwani A, Perrin E, Neger E, Mattern K, Walkowiak J, Barron S, Shah B, Singh R, Smith A, Klein D, McQuiston S, Venuti L, Powers B, Foley A, Dessureau B, Wood M, Damon-Minow J, Ehrenkranz R, Benjamin J, Romano E, Tsatsanis K, Chawarska K, Kim S, Dieterich S, Bearrs K, Peters N, Brown P, Ansusinha E, Waldrep E, Friedman J, Hounshell G, Allred D, Engelke S, Darden-Saad N, Stainback G, Warner D, Wereszczak J, Bernhardt J, McKeeman J, Meyer E, Pastyrnak S, Rathbun J, Nota S, Crumb T, Lenski M, Weiland D, Lloyd M, Hunter S, Msall M, Ramoskaite R, Wiggins S, Washington K, Martin R, Prendergast B, Scott M, Klarr J, Kring B, DeRidder J, Vogt K. Neurocognitive Outcomes at 10 Years of Age in Extremely Preterm Newborns with Late-Onset Bacteremia. The Journal Of Pediatrics 2017, 187: 43-49.e1. PMID: 28526224, PMCID: PMC5533634, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.04.045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLate-onset bacteremiaLow gestational age newbornsGeneral cognitive abilityNeurocognitive outcomesGestational age newbornsYears of agePostnatal week 2Age 10 yearsExtremely Preterm NewbornsCognitive abilitiesExecutive functionAge newbornsNeurocognitive limitationsLower IQWeek 2Academic achievementNeurocognitive functionBirth weight z-scoreEvidence of bacteremiaLower gestational ageWeight z-scoreDefinite bacteremiaWeeks of gestationMotor domainLate bacteremiaThe Relationship of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Pregnancy Weight Gain to Neurocognitive Function at Age 10 Years among Children Born Extremely Preterm
Jensen E, van der Burg J, O'Shea T, Joseph R, Allred E, Heeren T, Leviton A, Kuban K, Investigators E, Shah B, Singh R, Smith A, Klein D, McQuiston S, Rollins J, Douglass L, Ware J, Coster T, Henson B, Wilson R, McGhee K, Lee P, Asgarian A, Sadhwani A, Perrin E, Neger E, Mattern K, Walkowiak J, Barron S, Frazier J, Venuti L, Powers B, Foley A, Dessureau B, Wood M, Damon-Minow J, Ehrenkranz R, Benjamin J, Romano E, Tsatsanis K, Chawarska K, Kim S, Dieterich S, Bearrs K, O'Shea T, Peters N, Brown P, Ansusinha E, Waldrep E, Friedman J, Hounshell G, Allred D, Engelke S, Darden-Saad N, Stainback G, Warner D, Wereszczak J, Bernhardt J, McKeeman J, Meyer E, Pastyrnak S, Burdo-Hartman W, Rathbun J, Nota S, Crumb T, Lenski M, Weiland D, Lloyd M, Hunter S, Msall M, Ramoskaite R, Wiggins S, Washington K, Martin R, Prendergast B, Scott M, Klarr J, Kring B, DeRidder J, Vogt K. The Relationship of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Pregnancy Weight Gain to Neurocognitive Function at Age 10 Years among Children Born Extremely Preterm. The Journal Of Pediatrics 2017, 187: 50-57.e3. PMID: 28341527, PMCID: PMC5533624, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.02.064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrepregnancy body mass indexBody mass indexMaternal prepregnancy body mass indexPregnancy weight gainMass indexNeurocognitive functionWeight gainCohort of infantsMaternal prepregnancy obesityLower scoresYears of ageAge 10 yearsFine motor controlMaternal obesityPrepregnancy weightProspective multicenterCohort studyPrepregnancy obesitySingleton pregnanciesSchool-aged childrenNeurocognitive evaluationStudy participantsBehavioral interventionsTen-year-old childrenExpression assessmentTemperamental markers in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder
Macari SL, Koller J, Campbell DJ, Chawarska K. Temperamental markers in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2017, 58: 819-828. PMID: 28317113, PMCID: PMC5747932, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12710.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderTemperamental vulnerabilitySpectrum disorderSocial outcomesLow-intensity pleasureCore autism symptomsAutism symptom severityGreater negative emotionalitySocial skill levelsNonverbal abilityPerceptual sensitivityTD peersASD groupAffective reactivityAutism symptomsAutism severityIndividual differencesNegative emotionalityTD groupInhibitory controlTemperamental characteristicsDevelopmental levelTime 2Childhood psychopathologyASD phenotype
2016
Parent-Endorsed Sex Differences in Toddlers with and Without ASD: Utilizing the M-CHAT
Øien RA, Hart L, Schjølberg S, Wall CA, Kim ES, Nordahl-Hansen A, Eisemann MR, Chawarska K, Volkmar FR, Shic F. Parent-Endorsed Sex Differences in Toddlers with and Without ASD: Utilizing the M-CHAT. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders 2016, 47: 126-134. PMID: 27757737, PMCID: PMC5222910, DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2945-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProspective Longitudinal Studies of Infant Siblings of Children With Autism: Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Szatmari P, Chawarska K, Dawson G, Georgiades S, Landa R, Lord C, Messinger DS, Thurm A, Halladay A. Prospective Longitudinal Studies of Infant Siblings of Children With Autism: Lessons Learned and Future Directions. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2016, 55: 179-187. PMID: 26903251, PMCID: PMC4871151, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.12.014.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Multilevel Differences in Spontaneous Social Attention in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chawarska K, Ye S, Shic F, Chen L. Multilevel Differences in Spontaneous Social Attention in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child Development 2015, 87: 543-557. PMID: 26682668, PMCID: PMC5460372, DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12473.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderSocial attentionSpectrum disorderContext-specific constructsGaze behaviorSecondary deficitsSocial scenesBehavioral relevanceSocial informationAtypical targetsSocial partnersReward circuitryIndividual varianceMultilevel differencesLatent structureSocial featuresEarly disruptionConstructsAttentionProcessingASDDisordersToddlersDeficitsCircuitryEnhanced Social Attention in Female Infant Siblings at Risk for Autism
Chawarska K, Macari S, Powell K, DiNicola L, Shic F. Enhanced Social Attention in Female Infant Siblings at Risk for Autism. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2015, 55: 188-195.e1. PMID: 26903252, PMCID: PMC5812780, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.11.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderSocial orientingRelevant stimuliSocial targetsEye-tracking studySevere social impairmentAutism riskLow-risk controlsComorbid anxiety symptomsSex differencesAtypical attentionInfant siblingsSocial attentionHigh-risk malesEnhanced attentionSocial impairmentSpectrum disorderHigh-risk femalesAnxiety symptomsOrientingSocial experienceNeurobehavioral measuresLow-risk malesAtypical patternsProtective factorsDiagnostic stability in young children at risk for autism spectrum disorder: a baby siblings research consortium study
Ozonoff S, Young GS, Landa RJ, Brian J, Bryson S, Charman T, Chawarska K, Macari SL, Messinger D, Stone WL, Zwaigenbaum L, Iosif AM. Diagnostic stability in young children at risk for autism spectrum disorder: a baby siblings research consortium study. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2015, 56: 988-998. PMID: 25921776, PMCID: PMC4532646, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMonths of ageCommunity-ascertained sampleAutism spectrum disorderHigh-risk groupYoung childrenASD diagnosisAge 3Public health implicationsSample of infantsSpectrum disorderDiagnostic criteriaDiagnostic stabilityIntensive surveillanceSiblings of childrenAmerican AcademyEarly identificationClinical diagnosisConsortium studyFamilial riskEarly signsDiagnosisMonthsFamilial factorsASD outcomeInitial assessment
2014
Interest level in 2-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder predicts rate of verbal, nonverbal, and adaptive skill acquisition
Klintwall L, Macari S, Eikeseth S, Chawarska K. Interest level in 2-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder predicts rate of verbal, nonverbal, and adaptive skill acquisition. Autism 2014, 19: 925-933. PMID: 25398893, PMCID: PMC4878117, DOI: 10.1177/1362361314555376.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNonverbal mental ageAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scoresAutism spectrum disorderAdaptive skill acquisitionMental ageSpectrum disorderTime 1Skill acquisitionSchedule scoresAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessmentVerbal mental ageSkill acquisition ratesAutism scoresChildren's motivationAdaptive skillsInterest levelAge equivalentsSocial routinesIntensity of interventionAdaptive levelEarly interventionSchedule assessmentDisordersAcquisitionIntervention18-Month Predictors of Later Outcomes in Younger Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Baby Siblings Research Consortium Study
Chawarska K, Shic F, Macari S, Campbell DJ, Brian J, Landa R, Hutman T, Nelson CA, Ozonoff S, Tager-Flusberg H, Young GS, Zwaigenbaum L, Cohen IL, Charman T, Messinger DS, Klin A, Johnson S, Bryson S. 18-Month Predictors of Later Outcomes in Younger Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Baby Siblings Research Consortium Study. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2014, 53: 1317-1327.e1. PMID: 25457930, PMCID: PMC4254798, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2014.09.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoor eye contactHigh riskEarly diagnostic considerationAutism spectrum disorderAge 3 yearsEye contactBaby Siblings Research Consortium StudyClinical featuresDiagnostic considerationsSpectrum disorderSpecific treatmentYounger siblingsSymptom profilesAutism Diagnostic Observation ScheduleConsortium studyMonthsDiagnostic outcomesRegression tree analysisOutcomesLater OutcomesChildrenDevelopmental outcomesHigh functioningSiblingsBehavioral profileScreening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in 12-Month-Old High-Risk Siblings by Parental Report
Rowberry J, Macari S, Chen G, Campbell D, Leventhal JM, Weitzman C, Chawarska K. Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in 12-Month-Old High-Risk Siblings by Parental Report. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders 2014, 45: 221-229. PMID: 25149178, PMCID: PMC4289092, DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2211-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderParental reportsSpectrum disorderDevelopmental outcomesHigh-risk siblingsFirst Year InventoryVocal imitationRepetitive behaviorsSocial communicationGreater impairmentClinician ratingsYounger siblingsScreening instrumentPreliminary findingsASD casesImportant implicationsDisordersSiblingsImitationParentsRatingsImpairmentInventoryChildrenCommunication