News and reviews > Latest News > Latest pregnancy & baby medical news > Autistic infants 'unable to read body language'

Autistic infants 'unable to read body language'

Report sheds new light on how toddlers with autism communicate.
Toddlers with autism tend to pay more attention to sounds and motion when observing other people rather than body actions or gestures, research has found.

A new study carried out at the Yale School of Medicine shows that autistic two-year-olds only recognise movements that are physically synchronous with sounds and not those associated with human social interaction or body language.

Therefore, rather than reading the eyes for information, children with autism focus on the relation between lip motion and speech sounds, the experts suggest.

Commenting on the findings, lead researcher Ami Klin, Harris associate professor of child psychology at Yale, said: "This suggests that from very early in life, children with autism are seeking experiences in the physical rather than the social world.

"And this in turn has far-reaching implications for the development of social mind and brain."

According to the National Autistic Society, there are more than half a million people with autism currently living in the UK.

Other conditions such as dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can often be linked to autism.

Chat or Ask a Question:

If you have a question about this article or something else, visit our friendly forums & ask the AskBaby community.

Chat about autistic infants 'unable to read body language' with our friendly community...

Your Comments:

We'd love to hear your comments on this article...

Login to add your comment:

Email: Password:
Not yet a member? Join thousands of other parents and parents-to-be... Sign Up Now!
Forgot your
Password?

Related:

Mother's stress linked to asthma risk
Stress levels in pregnant women have been linked to the increased chances of the child developing asthma or other allergies
Cats and birth order found to impact asthma risk
Being a first born child has been found to increase the risk of asthma, while cat ownership appears to lower the risk
Omega-3 could tackle pregnancy depression
Research has found that omega-3 supplements could help pregnant women reduce depressive symptoms
Prenatal screening misses defects
Research has shown tests conducted during pregnancy do not pick up all genetic defects
Take vitamin D to avoid rickets, say doctors
Research shows the bone-weakening disease is resurfacing
DNA of three parents may help babies fight disease
A stem cell technique that uses DNA from three people could prevent a variety of hereditary diseases, researchers believe
Self-help may relieve back pain during pregnancy
Self-management techniques may ease back pain during and after pregnancy, according to Dutch researchers
Taking statins could avert C-sections
Research suggests that risk of caesareans is cut by taking statins
£40 million to tackle obesity in pregnant women and toddlers
The Scottish government have set aside £40 million to to promote healthy eating and physical activity for pregnant women and toddlers
Pregnancy may protect against bladder cancer
Research conducted on mice suggests that pregnancy may help to protect against bladder cancer
Woman conceives 'designer baby' free from breast cancer
Doctors have helped a couple conceive the first British baby guaranteed to be free from hereditary breast cancer.
Sucrose found to relieve infant discomfort
Common table sugar can help to relieve pain in babies, say researchers
Vitamin D in pregnancy 'can keep kids' teeth healthy'
Pregnant women who maintain their levels of Vitamin D can protect their children from tooth decay and gum disease, according to new research.
Eating nuts when pregnant linked to asthma
Eating too many nuts when pregnant may increase the unborn child's risk of asthma, a report has claimed.
Women not getting enough advice from doctor
Research has suggested that a quarter of pregnant women are not getting adequate advice from their doctor.
Study to look at bed rest
A study is to be performed into the best exercises to recover from bed rest during pregnancy
Study looks at keeping mums smoke-free
A study in the USA has looked into ways of stopping new mothers from taking up smoking again after the birth of their child
Exercise keeps the blues away
A new study has found that exercising before and after pregnancy can be good for the mind as well as the body
Flu jab during pregnancy 'could protect babies'
Women may be able to protect their babies against flu by receiving the vaccine while pregnant.
Calls for more neonatal nurses
A prominent nursing group has said that premature babies require more staff to care for them.
Hayek gets behind anti-tetanus campaign
Salma Hayek is promoting a campaign to end tetanus among mothers and babies in third world countries.
Music 'soothes stress' during pregnancy
Listening to lullabies, nature sounds and classical music can help women to feel calmer and less stressed during pregnancy, new research has shown.
Exercise reduces 'pregnancy risks'
Exercise during pregnancy could actually reduce the risk of complications, according to revised guidelines from Michigan State University.
Statins can 'reduce miscarriage risk'
Pregnant women that take statins have a lower risk of miscarriage, according to new research.
Acupuncture 'eases' pregnancy pain
New research has shown that the complementary therapy of acupuncture may help women who suffer from pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy.
Pregnant women 'rewarded' for quitting smoking
Women are to be helped further to give up smoking during pregnancy.
Delaying DTP jab 'could reduce asthma risk'
A new study has highlighted the benefits of delaying the DTB vaccination.
Blood test for pre-eclampsia developed
There is now screening hope for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.
Phototherapy 'may help' premature babies
Phototherapy could prevent the development of conditions such as cerebral palsy in some premature infants.
Light drinking in pregnancy 'not harmful'
New research has shown that light drinking during pregnancy may not be harmful to babies.
New caffeine warning for pregnant women
New guidance on caffeine consumption for pregnant women has been outlined.
Too much weight gain 'leads to bigger babies'
Women have been advised to try and regulate their weight gain during pregnancy in the light of new research.
New evidence against smoking in pregnancy published
Women have been urged to give up smoking during pregnancy in the light of new research.
Teenager to give birth to conjoined twins
A teenager is preparing to deliver conjoined twins.
NMC seeks greater public involvement
The NMC is calling for members of the public to contribute to the healthcare system.
Excessive exercise 'bad during pregnancy'
Women have been advised to take gentle to moderate exercise only during pregnancy.
Breakthrough for premature baby lung growth
Scientists believe that a new discovery could help to save the lives of premature babies.
Cancer screened baby birth 'imminent'
A British baby screened for breast cancer is due to be born this week.
Brain surgery baby home for Christmas
A baby who became the youngest ever patient of brain tumour surgery at just two weeks is recovering well.
Pregnancy joy for double womb mother
A woman has discovered that she has two reproductive systems after falling pregnant.
Smoking while pregnant 'causes thyroid damage'
Further dangers of smoking while pregnant have been highlighted.
Heavy drinking linked to premature birth
Heavy drinking in the first third of pregnancy is linked to premature birth.
Premature medicine 'could be harmful'
New research has raised concerns over the medication given to premature babies.
Doctors investigate caffeine pregnancy risks
Scientists are investigating a possible link between caffeine consumption in pregnancy and cancer.
Campaign to help pregnant smokers
New research has revealed that many pregnant smokers are too ashamed to seek help.
Traffic pollution linked to childhood asthma
Babies born in areas with heavy traffic have a higher risk of developing asthma than those exposed to less pollution in the womb, study shows.
Study reveals peanut allergy breakthrough
Children who are allergic to peanuts can maintain tolerance with daily dose, experts discover.
Birth season linked to asthma risk
Study shows that newborns delivered in autumn or winter are three times more likley to have asthma.
Diabetes increases postnatal depression risk
Expectant mums with diabetes have more than double the risk of postnatal depression, new study shows.
Food allergy not always linked to childhood eczema
While the number of children affected by eczema is on the rise, cutting out foods isn't always the solution.
Pregnancy linked to breast cancer prevention
Pregnancy hormone found to help younger women prevent breast cancer.
Women advised to reduce stress during pregnancy
Stress-busting techniques are important for a healthy pregnancy, study reveals.
Meningitis at record low
New government figures suggest an end to meningitis could be in sight.
Advising pregnant women on alcohol is 'patronising and unethical'
The official guidelines on drinking alcohol while pregnant are often 'patronising and unethical'
Scientists one step closer to childhood asthma prevention
New study shines light on the link between eczema and asthma in childhood.

Community

Popular