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Predicting language outcome in infants with autism and pervasive developmental disorder
Author(s) -
Charman Tony,
BaronCohen Simon,
Swettenham John,
Baird Gillian,
Drew Auriol,
Cox Antony
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1080/136820310000104830
Subject(s) - psychology , joint attention , imitation , autism , autism spectrum disorder , developmental psychology , intelligence quotient , language development , developmental disorder , language disorder , intervention (counseling) , outcome (game theory) , cognition , psychiatry , social psychology , mathematics , mathematical economics
Background : To examine longitudinal associations between diagnosis, joint attention, play and imitation abilities and language outcome in infants with autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Methods and Procedures : Experimental measures of joint attention, play and imitation were conducted with a sample of infants with autism spectrum disorder at age 20 months. Language outcome was assessed at age 42 months. A within‐group longitudinal correlational design was adopted. Outcomes and Results : Language at 42 months was higher for children with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder than for children with a diagnosis of autism. Language at follow‐up was also positively associated with performance on experimental measures of joint attention and imitation, but not with performance on experimental measures of play and ‘goal detection’ at 20 months, nor with a non‐verbal intelligence quotient, although these associations were not examined independent of diagnosis. However, floor effects on the measure of play at 20 months and the small sample size limit the conclusions that can be drawn. Conclusions : Individual differences in infant social‐communication abilities as well as diagnosis may predict language outcome in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. Attention should be directed at assessing these skills in 2‐ and 3‐year‐old children referred for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Imitation and joint attention abilities may be important targets for early intervention.