Dyadic orienting and joint attention in preschool children with autism.
Acts of dyadic orienting (responses to attention bids by a researcher) and acts of joint attention (e.g. pointing and showing behaviors) were observed in preschool children with autism and children with developmental delay. Children with autism responded to fewer adult vocal and non-vocal attention bids that were made singly and by combining modalities (e.g. name call plus touch). Sensitivity in dyadic orienting was significantly related to child-initiated acts of joint attention (IJA). Sensitivity to dyadic orienting was also significantly related to language and non-verbal ability. These findings indicate that dyadic orienting difficulties are found alongside triadic joint attention difficulties in children with autism.
Leekam
Susan R
SR
Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, DH1 3LE, Durham, England. s.r.leekam@durham.ac.uk
Ramsden
Christopher A H
CA
D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013067:Speech Perception