Abstract
Longitudinal research has demonstrated that responsive parental behaviors reliably predict subsequent language gains in children
with autism spectrum disorder. To investigate the underlying causal mechanisms, we conducted a randomized clinical trial of
an experimental intervention (Focused Playtime Intervention, FPI) that aims to enhance responsive parental communication (N = 70). Results showed a significant treatment effect of FPI on responsive parental behaviors. Findings also revealed a conditional
effect of FPI on children’s expressive language outcomes at 12-month follow up, suggesting that children with baseline language
skills below 12 months (n = 24) are most likely to benefit from FPI. Parents of children with more advanced language skills may require intervention
strategies that go beyond FPI’s focus on responsive communication.
with autism spectrum disorder. To investigate the underlying causal mechanisms, we conducted a randomized clinical trial of
an experimental intervention (Focused Playtime Intervention, FPI) that aims to enhance responsive parental communication (N = 70). Results showed a significant treatment effect of FPI on responsive parental behaviors. Findings also revealed a conditional
effect of FPI on children’s expressive language outcomes at 12-month follow up, suggesting that children with baseline language
skills below 12 months (n = 24) are most likely to benefit from FPI. Parents of children with more advanced language skills may require intervention
strategies that go beyond FPI’s focus on responsive communication.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1584-y
- Authors
- Michael Siller, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Ted Hutman, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Marian Sigman, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257