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Social‐communicative abilities as treatment goals for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: the importance of imitation, joint attention, and play
Author(s) -
Warreyn Petra,
Paelt Sara,
Roeyers Herbert
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12455
Subject(s) - joint attention , imitation , autism spectrum disorder , psychology , intervention (counseling) , autism , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , psychiatry , neuroscience
Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) is a pervasive developmental disorder with a lifelong impact on multiple domains of functioning. Often, a diagnosis is possible by 3 years of age. Given the benefits of early intervention, it is advisable to start treatment as soon as possible after the diagnosis has been made. Among other factors, early intervention should focus on social‐communicative abilities such as imitation, joint attention, and play. In this review, the typical developmental course and functions of these social‐communicative abilities are described, and the problems young children with ASD experience in this domain. In addition, different approaches to promoting these abilities are explained. The authors recommend the inclusion of imitation, joint attention, and play as treatment goals in community settings for children with ASD .