Links between Caregiver–Child Engagement and Later Language in Toddlers with Autistic and Non-Autistic Older Siblings
This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.
About the autistic author markerAgojci, D., Markfeld, J. E., Bottema-Beutel, K., Guo, R., Braun, C., LaPoint, S. C., Kim, S. Y., Pulliam, G., Clark, S. M., Keçeli-Kaysılı, B., Feldman, J. I., & Woynaroski, T. (2026). Links between Caregiver–Child Engagement and Later Language in Toddlers with Autistic and Non-Autistic Older Siblings [Preprint]. Center for Open Science. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/842um_v2
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Abstract
This study explored the degree to which time spent in higher- and lower-order caregiver–child supported joint engagement was associated with later language in toddlers at increased likelihood for autism because they have an autistic older sibling (Sibs-autism) and in toddlers at population-level likelihood for autism (i.e., toddlers with non-autistic older siblings; Sibs-NA).Participants were 51 toddlers (27 Sibs-autism; 24 Sibs-NA) aged 21–27 months at the first time point (Time 1). Toddlers were seen again around 36 months (Time 2). Caregiver–child engagement states were measured via two, 15-minute caregiver–child free play sessions at Time 1. Child language was assessed via norm-referenced, standardized assessments and caregiver report questionnaires at Time 2. Regression models evaluated associations between engagement states and later receptive and expressive language.Time spent in supported joint engagement was significantly associated with later receptive language only. Higher-order supported joint engagement had a significant positive association with later receptive language, whereas lower-order supported joint engagement did not. This association was stronger for Sibs-autism. These results provide insights into how caregiver–child engagement relates to later language in Sibs-autism and Sibs-NA. Further work is necessary to understand how to best support caregivers to optimize language learning environments for toddlers.
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