title: What is the impact of autism on mother-child interactions within families with a child with autism spectrum disorder?
abstract: This within-family study investigated whether mothers differentiate between children in their interactive behavior. Mothers were observed during a play and a task interaction separately with their child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (between 46 and 84 months old, M = 68) and with a younger sibling (between 29 and 67 months old, M = 48). Additionally, the social behavior of the children with ASD and their non-ASD siblings was compared. Results show that mothers differentiated in their responsiveness but not in their initiatives toward the children. Children with ASD and their non-ASD siblings were equally responsive but children with ASD were more imperative toward their caregiver. Several interpretations of these findings are discussed. Finally, it is concluded that family-based interventions will benefit from a better understanding of the effect of ASD on mother-child interactions within families with a child with ASD. Therefore, between-family studies should be complemented with within-family studies. Autism Res 2011,4:358-367. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Research Group Developmental Disorders, Ghent University, Belgium. Mieke.Meirsschaut@arteveldehs.be
authors: Mieke
authors: M
authors: Meirsschaut
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Warreyn
authors: Herbert
authors: H
authors: Roeyers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior