Unstructured mother-toddler interactions were examined in 18-month-old high-and low-risk children subsequently diagnosed (n=12) or not diagnosed (n=21) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at 36 months. Differences in maternal sensitivity were not found as a function of emergent ASD status. A differential-susceptibility moderation model of child risk guided investigations linking maternal sensitivity to child behavior and language growth. Group status moderated the relation between sensitivity and concurrent child behavior problems, with a positive association present for children with emergent ASD. Maternal sensitivity at 18 months predicted expressive language growth from age two to three years among children with emergent ASD only. Findings underscore the importance of understanding parent-child interaction during this key period in the development of autism symptomatology.

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Individuals post-brain injury may benefit from occupational therapy services to reduce the challenges associated with functioning in the student role in college and university environments.