ERIC Number: EJ948740
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jan
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9630
EISSN: N/A
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Preschool-Based Joint Attention Intervention for Children with Autism
Kaale, Anett; Smith, Lars; Sponheim, Eili
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, v53 n1 p97-105 Jan 2012
Background: Deficits in joint attention (JA) and joint engagement (JE) represent a core problem in young children with autism as these affect language and social development. Studies of parent-mediated and specialist-mediated JA-intervention suggest that such intervention may be effective. However, there is little knowledge about the success of the intervention when done in preschools. Aim: Assess the effects of a preschool-based JA-intervention. Methods: 61 children (48 males) with autistic disorder (29-60 months) were randomized to either 8 weeks of JA-intervention, in addition to their preschool programs (n = 34), or to preschool programs only (n = 27). The intervention was done by preschool teachers with weekly supervision by trained counselors from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinics (CAMHC). Changes in JA and JE were measured by blinded independent testers using Early Social Communication Scale (ESCS) and video taped preschool teacher-child and mother-child play at baseline and post-intervention. Clinical trials registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00378157. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed significant difference between the intervention and the control group, with the intervention group yielding more JA initiation during interaction with the preschool teachers. The effect generalized to significantly longer duration of JE with the mothers. Conclusions: This is the first randomized study to show positive and generalized effects of preschool-based JA-intervention.
Descriptors: Video Technology, Intervention, Autism, Preschool Teachers, Social Development, Preschool Children, Attention Span, Child Development, Parents, Program Effectiveness, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Comparative Analysis, Parent Child Relationship, Mothers, Outcomes of Treatment, Interaction, Teacher Student Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A