Infants exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) prenatally may develop birth defects, developmental deficits, or remain asymptomatic. It is unclear why some infants are more affected than others, although enhancement of maternal ZIKV infection via immunity to an antigenically similar virus, dengue virus (DENV), may play a role. We hypothesized that DENV immunity may worsen prenatal ZIKV infection and developmental deficits in offspring. We utilized a translational macaque model to examine how maternal DENV immunity influences ZIKV-exposed infant macaque neurodevelopment in the first month of life. We inoculated eight macaques with prior DENV infection with ZIKV, five macaques with ZIKV, and four macaques with saline. DENV/ZIKV-exposed infants had significantly worse visual orientation skills than ZIKV-exposed infants whose mothers were DENV-naive, with no differences in motor, sensory or state control development. ZIKV infection characteristics and pregnancy outcomes did not individually differ between dams with and without DENV immunity, but when multiple factors were combined in a multivariate model, maternal DENV immunity combined with ZIKV infection characteristics and pregnancy parameters predicted select developmental outcomes. We demonstrate that maternal DENV immunity exacerbates visual orientation and tracking deficits in ZIKV-exposed infant macaques, suggesting that human studies should evaluate how maternal DENV immunity impacts long-term neurodevelopment.

Date Presented 04/01/2022 Understanding the full spectrum of deficits and early predictors associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) is important for OTs to provide early intervention therapy to maximize long-term child functional outcomes. Using a rhesus macaque model, we examined the impact of ZIKV on gait development. Compared with controls, macaques with prenatal exposure to ZIKV demonstrated less balance over the first month of life, potentially identifying an early predictor of late-onset functional motor deficits. Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Natalie Dulaney, Jack Drew, Madison Stumpf, Kristen A. Pickett, Emma Mohr

Date Presented 04/21/2023 This study examined auditory hypersensitivities in autistic and nonautistic children using parent-report and performance measures. Significant differences were identified on the parent report but not on observational measures. Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov Additional Authors and Speakers: Brittany Travers, Karla Ausderau

Date presented: April 24, 2026 Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov, kabakov@wisc.edu

Date Presented 03/21/24 Sensory subtypes were applied to repetitive and adaptive behavior measures for autistic children ages 6 to 18 years. The extreme-mixed subtype, with elevated sensory response, had more repetitive behaviors and lower adaptive behaviors. Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Olivia Surgent, Emily Skaletski, John Sideris, Brittany Travers

Date Presented 04/23/2023 Rural emergency departments lack resources and staff education to support the diverse sensory needs of autistic children. This project utilized a stakeholder collaboration approach to create a multifaceted tool kit to support their unique needs. Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov Additional Authors and Speakers: Allison Caudill, Alyssa Smith, Alana Woolley, Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Rose Cutting