title: Imitation and communication skills development in children with pervasive developmental disorders.
abstract: This study evaluates the correlation between failure to develop spontaneous imitation and language skills in pervasive developmental disorders. Sixty-four children between the age of 3 and 8 years were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), as well as direct observation of imitation. The sample was subdivided into a verbal and a nonverbal group. Analysis of mean scores on the CARS "imitation" items and of ADI-R "spontaneous imitation" and "pointing to express interest" revealed a statistically significant difference between verbal and nonverbal groups, with more severe impairment/higher scores in the nonverbal than the verbal group. These results suggest that nonverbal children have specifically impaired imitation and pointing skills.
authors: Child Neurological and Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: De Giacomo
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Portoghese
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Martinelli
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Fanizza
authors: Luciano
authors: L
authors: L'abate
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Margari