Imitation Can Reduce Repetitive Behaviors and Increase Play Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Researchers\rhave documented the positive effects of adult imitation on the social and joint\rattention behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder. In the current\rstudy videotapes from an archival data base were recoded to address the effects\rof imitation on the children’s stereotypic/ repetitive behavior and their\rbehavior directed toward the adult and the toys. In the original study, the\rchildren with autism spectrum disorder (N = 24) were videotaped in a playroom\rthat featured 2 sets of the same toys and a seated, still-face adult for 3\rminutes. This was followed by a 3-minute period of the adult imitating all of\rthe child’s behaviors/actions. Another seated, stillface adult segment followed\r(3 min), and finally a spontaneous play period (3 min). During the second\rstill-face following the imitation period versus the first still-face period,\rthe children spent more time touching the adult, and touching and playing with\rthe toys. During the imitation versus the spontaneous play session the children\rshowed less stereotypic/repetitive behavior including less time bringing the\rtoys to the face and making autistic-like sounds. These data suggest that\rimitation by the adult led to less stereotypic/repetitive behavior by the\rchildren with autism spectrum disorder and more engaging behavior including\rboth touching the adult and touching and playing with the toys.