Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Optimizing joint engagement in autism: considering toddler developmental abilities and caregiver stress
Sydney Seese1, Angelina Matar1, Lily Mendes1
1Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Introduction:
Play interactions between caregivers and their toddlers provide a critical context for the emergence of joint engagement, a state that supports early learning andsocial communication. Differences in toddler's developmental characteristics and caregiver experiences may influence how joint engagement is established during these interactions. This study examined whether toddler characteristics, including age, cognitive abilities, language abilities (expressive and receptive), and caregiver stress attenuated or amplified the association between caregiver strategy use and joint engagement in toddlers with autism.
Methods:
Participants include 80 toddlers with autism (M age = 26.26 months) and their caregivers. Toddler cognitive and language abilities were assessed at baseline (prior to any intervention) using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, and caregiver stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index. Caregiver strategies and child engagement were observationally coded during a 10-min caregiver-child free-play interaction.
Results:
Results indicated that age, cognitive abilities, expressive and receptive language significantly moderated the association between caregiver strategy use and joint engagement. The positive association between higher quality caregiver strategies and joint engagement was stronger for toddlers who were older and had more advanced cognitive and language abilities. In contrast, caregiver stress attenuated this relationship, such that higher quality caregiver strategies were less predictive of joint engagement at higher levels of stress.
Discussion:
These findings suggest that the impact of caregiver strategies on engagement is shaped by both toddler developmental capacities and caregiver well-being, highlighting the importance of tailoring caregiver-mediated interventions to account for individual differences in the toddler - caregiver dyad to optimize joint engagement outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
