title: Early-emerging social adaptive skills in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: an item analysis.
abstract: Individuals with ASD have significant impairments in adaptive skills, particularly adaptive socialization skills. The present study examined the extent to which 20 items from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Socialization Domain differentiated between ASD and developmentally delayed (DD) groups. Participants included 108 toddlers with ASD or DD under the age of 3 years. Nine of the 20 items significantly distinguished the groups. The ASD group demonstrated significantly weaker socialization skills, including deficits in basic social behaviors. The results support the notion that (a) socialization deficits in ASD impact foundational social skills typically emerging in the first year of life, (b) examination of specific social adaptive behaviors contribute to differential diagnosis, and (c) foundational social behaviors should be targeted for intervention.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, PO Box 207900, New Haven, CT, 06520-7900, USA, pamela.ventola@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ventola
authors.forename: Celine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Saulnier
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chawarska
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior