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Communication and sensorimotor functioning in children with autism.

E P Abrahamsen1, J R Mitchell

  • 1Old Dominion University.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|March 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
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This study found that sensorimotor skills, specifically means-end understanding and vocal imitation, are linked to communication abilities in children with autism. These findings highlight key areas for supporting pragmatic language development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction and communication.
  • Sensorimotor functioning plays a crucial role in the development of cognitive and communicative skills.
  • Understanding the relationship between sensorimotor abilities and communicative intent is vital for targeted interventions in children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific sensorimotor skills and the expression of communicative intent in children with autism.
  • To determine which sensorimotor components are most predictive of pragmatic language diversity and frequency.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed sensorimotor functioning in ten children with autism (four verbal, six nonverbal) using standardized measures (object permanence, means-end, causality, imitation, object construction).

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  • Collected and analyzed a 2-hour communication sample to quantify the number and diversity of pragmatic functions.
  • Utilized correlational analyses to examine relationships between sensorimotor variables and communication measures.

    • Main Results:

    • Object permanence showed no significant correlation with the diversity or total number of pragmatic functions.
    • Means-end understanding was significantly related to both the diversity and total number of pragmatic functions.
    • Vocal imitation was significantly related to the total number of pragmatic functions expressed.
    • Means-end skills also correlated significantly with performance on vocal and gestural imitation tasks.

    Conclusions:

    • Means-end understanding and vocal imitation are key sensorimotor predictors of communicative intent in children with autism.
    • These findings suggest that interventions targeting sensorimotor development, particularly means-end abilities, may enhance pragmatic communication skills.
    • Further research should explore the causal pathways between sensorimotor development and communication in ASD.