Article Early Access 2024 · 0 citations

Relationship between imitation skills and maternal responsiveness for children with autism spectrum disorder: a longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundImitation is an important developmental skill in terms of social communication with which children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty. Furthermore, responsiveness is suggested to play an essential role in the development of social communication skills in this population. This necessitates understanding the impact of responsiveness on the development of imitation skills. This observational study examines the longitudinal effect of maternal responsiveness on the development of imitation skills among minimally verbal preschool children with ASD.MethodsThis observational study used a longitudinal correlational design, which is in the correlational dimension of the quantitative research method. The study involved 31 children aged between 28 and 79 months and their mothers. The children with ASD were assessed for elicited and spontaneous imitation skills using observation-based structured tasks. Additionally, the frequency of maternal responsiveness was measured during an unstructured play session with the mother and child.ResultsThe study found a correlation between verbal and nonverbal maternal responses following the child's focus of attention and elicited and spontaneous imitation skills. Additionally, after controlling for the severity of autism symptoms, object engagement, or initial imitation performances, it was determined that follow-in directives for behavior and nonverbal responses predicted only spontaneous imitation at Time II, together with the severity of autism symptoms.ConclusionsThe findings show that maternal responsiveness, particularly in response to the child's focus of attention, including follow-in directives for behavior and nonverbal responses, is a significant predictor of spontaneous imitation outcomes. Therefore, interventions should target maternal responsiveness, emphasizing the development of spontaneous imitation skills.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spontaneous imitation elicited imitation maternal responsiveness severity of autism symptoms PARENT VERBAL RESPONSIVENESS RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL YOUNG-CHILDREN JOINT ATTENTION RECIPROCAL IMITATION LANGUAGE-DEVELOPMENT MOTOR IMITATION PRESCHOOLERS TODDLERS COMMUNICATION

WoS Categories

Education, Special Rehabilitation

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-being

Citation

Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Year: 2024
ISSN: 2047-3869
eISSN: 2047-3877
DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2024.2355384
WoS UID: WOS:001227918000001

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