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[Exploring joint attention processes in young children with autism spectrum disorder]

A de Gaulmyn1, R Miljkovitch2, M Montreuil3

  • 1CREDAT (centre de recherche et de diagnostic pour l'autisme et les troubles apparentés), centre hospitalier Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France; Laboratoire de psychopathologie et neuropsychologie (LPN), EA 2027, université Paris 8, 2, rue de la Liberté, 93526 Saint-Denis cedex, France.

L'Encephale
|March 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Motivation and visual regulation significantly impact joint attention in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These factors are crucial for early intervention programs targeting social communication skills.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by early-onset symptoms, including communication impairments.
  • Joint attention, the ability to share attention, is a key social communicative skill often impaired in ASD.
  • Early identification of factors influencing joint attention in infants is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of visual regulation, attentional engagement, and social motivation in joint attention in young children with ASD.
  • To examine the mediating role of motivation in the relationship between visual regulation and joint attention.
  • To develop and validate a clinical measure for motivation behaviors in children with ASD.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 50 children with ASD (21-50 months) underwent clinical assessments.
  • Evaluations included developmental and symptom assessments, auditory/visual regulation scales, and motivation behavior quantification.
  • Joint attention was measured using the Early Communication Scale for Children (ECSC), and attentional disengagement was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Visual regulation demonstrated a significant effect on joint attention.
  • Motivation partially mediated the relationship between visual regulation and joint attention.
  • Attentional disengagement was also found to be associated with joint attention.

Conclusions:

  • A mediation model highlights motivation's influence on the mechanisms underlying joint attention in ASD.
  • Early measurement of motivation and attentional disengagement can inform intervention strategies.
  • The developed clinical measure for motivation behaviors is applicable in clinical settings for ASD diagnosis and intervention.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention conjointeAutismAutismeDiagnosisDiagnosticInterventionJoint attention

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