PARENT INTERACTIVE BEHAVIORS AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, FRAGILE X SYNDROME, AND NO DISABILITY

PARENT INTERACTIVE BEHAVIORS AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, FRAGILE X SYNDROME, AND NO DISABILITY Public Deposited

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Abstract

Language and communication deficits are key features of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fragile X syndrome (FXS). Previous literature has identified parent interaction behaviors as a potential predictive factor in language development for children with and without disabilities, but the relationship between variables is largely unknown for school-age children. In this study, the relationship between parent interactive behavior and language gains was assessed for 66 school-age boys with ASD, FXS and ASD, FXS only, and no disability. Parents interacted with their child in a free play activity and parent behaviors were rated from videotape on the domains of warmth, sensitivity, responsiveness, encouragement of initiative, stimulation value and elaborativeness. Results indicated that parental warmth was a significant predictor of later language gains, while the other domains were not. These results support the linkage of parent interactive behaviors to developmental outcomes during the school-age years.

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