This presentation explores early communication development in infants with an elevated likelihood of autism, particularly infants with neurodiverse siblings, through behavioural, attachment-based, and naturalistic developmental perspectives. Participants will review current literature on early autism markers, risk factors, attachment processes, contingent social reinforcement, and the development of early vocal and social repertoires in infancy. Behaviour-analytic interpretations of attachment, serve-and-return interactions, parentese, and vocal imitation will be discussed alongside research examining the effects of contingent caregiver responding on infant vocalizations and early communication development. Practical strategies for embedding incidental teaching opportunities within the natural environment and everyday caregiving routines will also be presented, with an emphasis on promoting communication, engagement, and social connection with infants through meaningful daily interactions. Ethical considerations, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and caregiver coaching strategies will also be highlighted.

3 Learning Objectives

1. Identify early behavioural, social, and environmental markers associated with an elevated likelihood of autism in infancy.
2. Describe the role of contingent social reinforcement, attachment processes, and caregiver responsiveness in the development of early communication repertoires in infants.
3. Apply naturalistic and incidental teaching strategies within everyday routines to support early social communication and engagement between infants and their caregivers.

About the Presenter

Hayley Neimy

Dr. Hayley Neimy is a BCBA-D, Adjunct Professor at Endicott College and the University of British Columbia, and Past President of the British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis (BC-ABA). Dr. Neimy earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, her M.S. in Applied Behaviour Analysis from California State University, Northridge, and her Ph.D. in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Endicott College. Dr. Neimy has worked in the field of behaviour analysis since 2007 with individuals across the lifespan presenting with autism and developmental disabilities in home, school, clinic, and community settings. Her primary areas of expertise include naturalistic early interventions for infants and children, the assessment and treatment of severe distressed behaviour, and evidence-based staff and caregiver coaching/training. She has presented her research and clinical work at regional, national, and international conferences and is a published author in areas related to establishing early communication and social skills among infant populations, functional communication training (FCT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and various therapeutic interventions for supporting adults with severe behaviour. Dr. Neimy currently consults for Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Hollyburn Family Services, and UP Early Intervention.