Imitation Recognition by Minimally Verbal Young Children: A Comparison Between Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

TÖRET G.

FOCUS ON AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, vol.37, no.1, pp.34-45, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 37 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/10883576211035030
  • Journal Name: FOCUS ON AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
  • Page Numbers: pp.34-45
  • Keywords: autism, Down syndrome, minimally verbal communication, imitation recognition, play abilities, SOCIAL BEHAVIORS, PRETEND PLAY, LANGUAGE, SKILLS, ACTS
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display limited imitation recognition behaviors in comparison with typically developing children. However, the levels of imitation recognition of minimally verbal children with ASD relative to those with developmental disabilities are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the imitation recognition behaviors of 20 minimally verbal children with ASD and 20 minimally verbal children with Down syndrome (DS) when imitated by an adult in a play context. Results showed that children with ASD display more limited imitation recognition than children with DS. These results indicate that children with ASD are weaker in displaying imitation recognition. On the contrary, both groups display an association between imitation recognition and a variety of play actions in both groups.