BENCHMARKS OF SOCIAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Citation
Gg. Mcgee et al., BENCHMARKS OF SOCIAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 27(4), 1997, pp. 353-364
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Psychology, Developmental
ISSN journal
01623257
Volume
27
Issue
4
Year of publication
1997
Pages
353 - 364
Database
ISI
SICI code
0162-3257(1997)27:4<353:BOSTFC>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
Data on the social behavior of typical children may inform practitione rs and researchers regarding the appropriate goals of intervention for children with autism. This study assessed the ongoing levels of natur ally occurring social behavior in 64 preschool-aged children. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to analyze population (children with autism and typical children) and age (3 years 3 months vs. 4 years 4 months) differences at the time of preschool entry. Predictable population dif ferences were found for key social behaviors of proximity to children, social bids from children, and focus of engagement on children, as we ll as for behavioral context variables of verbalizations, adult focus, and atypical behaviors. No differences were found in the amount of ti me spent focused on toys or objects. There were also no differences in the presenting behaviors of younger and older children with autism. R esults are discussed in terms of implications for establishing early s ocial intervention goals.