ERIC Number: EJ973721
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Brief Report: Effect of a Focused Imitation Intervention on Social Functioning in Children with Autism
Ingersoll, Brooke
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v42 n8 p1768-1773 Aug 2012
Imitation is an early skill thought to play a role in social development, leading some to suggest that teaching imitation to children with autism should lead to improvements in social functioning. This study used a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a focused imitation intervention on initiation of joint attention and social-emotional functioning in 27 young children with autism. Results indicated the treatment group made significantly more gains in joint attention initiations at post-treatment and follow-up and social-emotional functioning at follow-up than the control group. Although gains in social functioning were associated with treatment, a mediation analysis did not support imitation as the mechanism of action. These findings suggest the intervention improves social functioning in children with ASD.
Descriptors: Intervention, Autism, Imitation, Outcomes of Treatment, Young Children, Comparative Analysis, Attention, Social Development, Emotional Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A