Developmental correlates of different types of motor imitation in young children with autism spectrum disorders.
This study used a concurrent correlational design to examine associations between three types of motor imitation with objects and three proposed correlates in 32 two- and three-year-old children diagnosed with ASD. Attention-following and fine motor ability were significant, unique correlates of imitation in an observational learning context. Attention-following was a significant correlate of imitation in a direct elicitation context. Social reciprocity was a significant correlate of imitation in an interactive play context. These associations were observed after controlling for general developmental level. Results support previous findings that motor imitation may not reflect a unitary construct for children with ASD and that different skills may underlie the performance of different types of motor imitation. Implications for interventions targeting motor imitation are discussed.
McDuffie
Andrea
A
School of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA. mcduffie@indiana.edu
Turner
Lauren
L
Stone
Wendy
W
Yoder
Paul
P
Wolery
Mark
M
Ulman
Teresa
T
D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior