Interaction and imitation deficits from infancy to 4 years of age in children with autism

Abstract

The present study investigated the influence of developmental level on interaction and imitation in infants and young children with autism on the basis of family videos and filmed consultation. The sample comprised 18 children with autism divided into groups according to their developmental quotient (DQ>50 and DQ<50). A quantitative evaluation was performed on video observations at four periods (10-12 months, 16-18 months, 24-26 months, after 4 years) using scales appropriate for the evaluation of interaction and imitation impairments. The findings showed that, at a very early age, infants later diagnosed as having autistic disorder show different intensities of interaction and imitation deficits according to developmental level.

The Early Development of Joint Attention in Infants with Autistic Disorder Using Home Video Observations and Parental Interview

“…Parental reports of these behaviours generally substantiated what was observed, suggesting an overall impairment in the use of smiling and appropriate affect during the infancy period. These findings, once again, accord with previous early development studies (Adrien et al 1991;Receveur et al 2005;Werner et al 2000). Studies have also found that children with autism show odd 'blends' of affect, and less animation in emotional expressions (Clifford et al 2006;Baranek 1999;Loveland et al 1994).…”

“…In a study of videotaped first birthday parties of these same infants, Osterling and Dawson (1994) also revealed early joint attention deficits, whereby the infants with AD showed objects to a social partner less often than typically developing infants, and none demonstrated proto-declarative pointing. Joint attention behaviours of showing objects, alternating gaze, and gaze following have also been found to be problematic for infants with AD in other similar studies (Bernabei et al 1998;Maestro et al 1999;Mars et al 1998;Receveur et al 2005).…”

GFAP expression and social deficits in transgenic mice overexpressing human sAPPα

“…Additionally, TgsAPPa mice demonstrate behavioral impairments that simulate autistic behaviors in humans. In addition to impaired social interaction, which is a cardinal autistic behavioral phenotype, patients have also demonstrated hypoactivity (Gillberg and Billstedt, 2000;Maestro et al, 2005;Receveur et al, 2005). TgsAPPa mice exhibit reduced preference for social interaction, indicating impaired sociability ( Fig.…”

Volubility, consonant, and syllable characteristics in infants and toddlers later diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech: A pilot study

“…These preliminary studies, typically limited to examining consonant and syllable profiles within specific populations or subgroups, have aided our understanding of children with typical speech sound development, at high risk for speech-language disorder (Oller, Eilers, Neal, & Schwartz, 1999), Down's syndrome (Smith & Oller, 1981), and hearing impairment (Ertmer et al, 2002;Ertmer & Mellon, 2001;Ertmer, Kloiber, Jung, Kirleis, & Bradford, 2012). Although initially descriptive in nature, small-scale single subgroup studies provide important direction for larger comparative studies within heterogeneous populations (Receveur et al, 2005).…”