title: Imitation assessment and its utility to the diagnosis of autism: evidence from consecutive clinical preschool referrals for suspected autism.
abstract: The present study sought to examine imitation difficulties as a risk factor for autism. Imitation aptitude was examined in 86 preschoolers suspected of autism (1.9-4.5 years) using the Preschool Imitation and Praxis Scale (PIPS). Differences between imitation, language, motor age-equivalents and nonverbal mental age were used to predict the diagnosis of autism. Multidisciplinary team diagnoses and ADOS-G classifications were used to differentiate children with autism spectrum disorders and non-spectrum developmental disorders. Two factors were found to be significantly associated with autism using simple logistic regression analyses: procedural imitation delay and receptive language delay. In a multivariable setting, only procedural imitation delay remained a significant predictor of autism. Results are new to the literature and require replications.
authors.affiliation: Department Health Care, PHL University College, Hasselt, Belgium. Marleen.Vanvuchelen@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanvuchelen
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roeyers
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Weerdt
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007223:Infant; D007360:Intelligence; D007802:Language; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors