Early interaction in autism spectrum disorder: Mothers' and children's behaviours during joint engagement

ConclusionTime in joint engagement was related to rate of mothers' behaviours and children's mental age but not to rate of children's behaviours in this study. Thus, intervention teaching parents of young children with autism strategies designed to increase time in joint engagement may be vital. The complex nature of the interaction between mother and child behaviours in promoting joint engagement warrants further elucidation.Key messages Increased understanding of parent and child behaviours during joint engagement is important for identification of targets for parent‐mediated early interventions in autism spectrum disorder. Time in joint engagement was related to rate of mothers' behaviours and children's mental age but not to rate of children's behaviours in this study. Higher rate of some maternal behaviours was inversely related to time in joint engagement, but it is not clear yet if higher rate may facilitate or disrupt joint engagement. The complex nature of the interaction between mother and child behaviours in promoting joint engagement warrants further elucidation.
Source: Child: Care, Health and Development - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research