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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG
Published on: May 3, 2017
Assessing and Improving Early Social Engagement in Infants.
Lynn Koegel1, Anji Singh1, Robert Koegel1
1University of California, Santa Barbara.
Early intervention can improve social engagement in infants with developmental concerns. A modified Pivotal Response Treatment showed positive results in infants, suggesting potential for conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Infant Behavior
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Infants exhibiting social abnormalities may face later social and behavioral challenges.
- Limited research exists on frequent repeated measures of infant social vulnerabilities.
- Feasibility of early interventions for social engagement in infants under one year is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess social engagement in infants with concerns.
- To examine the feasibility of an intervention to improve infant social behaviors.
- To determine the effectiveness of a modified Pivotal Response Treatment.
Main Methods:
- Multiple baseline research design.
- Assessment of affect, social interest, eye contact, and response to name in three infants (4, 7, 9 months).
- Implementation of a modified Pivotal Response Treatment.
Main Results:
- Infants showed consistently low or erratic social behaviors during baseline.
- The intervention led to immediate increases and stable social engagement.
- Social engagement remained high at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Early assessment and intervention are crucial for infants with social engagement difficulties.
- A modified Pivotal Response Treatment is feasible and effective for improving infant social behaviors.
- Findings have implications for clinical populations, including infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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