Advancing Early Autism Detection: Using the Early Markers of Autism (EMA) Tool to Identify and Support At-Risk Infants matters because it changes what a BCBA notices when decisions have to hold up in case conceptualization, intervention design, staff training, and literature-informed problem solving. In Advancing Early Autism Detection: Using the Early Markers of Autism (EMA) Tool to Identify and Support At-Risk Infants, for this course, the practical stakes show up in stronger conceptual consistency and better translational decision making, not in abstract discussion alone.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Council of Autism Service Providers
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is critical, as research consistently shows that earlier intervention leads to better outcomes. This presentation highlights findings from an infant sibling study that is contributing to a model for early autism detection. By observing high-risk infant siblings of children with ASD, we are working to identify markers of autism that may emerge within the first year of life. These efforts emphasize the need for systematic and continuous monitoring of at-risk populations. A key aspect of our study involved creating the Early Markers of Autism (EMA) tool, a 24-item subtest designed to track social behaviors from birth to 18 months. The EMA captures bi-weekly data on early social-communicative behaviors that may indicate emerging traits of autism during a critical window of development. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of early identification and highlight the value of assessment in achieving earlier diagnoses. In addition, we have created a curriculum for each of the markers assessed by the EMA. Designed for parents to implement, this curriculum incorporates principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) to foster foundational social and communicative skills. Early intervention targeting markers identified through the EMA has the potential to positively influence the developmental trajectory of this at-risk population. This work represents a significant step toward scalable and effective early ASD detection and intervention. Widespread use of the EMA tool could empower pediatricians to identify autism during a pivotal stage, shaping the diagnostic and developmental trajectories of at-risk infants. Please contact Paula Pompa-Craven at Paula.Pompa-Craven@essc.org should you have any APA questions or concerns!
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | General |
| APA | 1 | — |
| COA | 1 | — |
Dr. Erin Michaud is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with over 20 years of experience in communication development and applied behavior analysis. Her work is centered on early intervention, with a particular focus on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) to support children with autism and developmental delays. Dr. Michaud spent two decades at the New England Center for Children (NECC), contributing to innovative approaches in early intensive behavioral intervention. She continues to consult with families both nationally and internationally, helping to implement individualized, evidence-based strategies that foster growth and independence.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
You earn CEUs from a dozen different places. Upload any certificate — from here, your employer, conferences, wherever — and always know exactly where you stand. Learning, Ethics, Supervision, all handled.
No credit card required. Cancel anytime.
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.