Parent–infant interactions looking for instances of volitional social gaze versus reflexive gaze – an observational study

Abstract

Very early precursors of disrupted social behaviours are significant to understanding the possibility of mitigating or changing behaviours through interventions. Spontaneous play situations between infant and parent in two groups of infants aged 8.5–9 months were observed. First, a large number of videos were analysed to develop an observational schedule of play behaviour. Second, 135 videos were used in the comparison of atypical (AT; n = 23) and typically developed (TD; n = 22) infants. Frequency and duration of infants’ orientation towards the parent’s eye zone was significantly higher among TD infants than AT, indicating a stronger social gaze behaviour. Both groups were as competent at screening the surroundings, grabbing, and looking at toys. Finding may indicate an equal competence at reacting to reflexive stimuli. The quality of gaze behaviour provides important information for child healthcare professionals and parents when deciding whether to start supportive intervention or diagnostic investigation.