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Developmental Correlates of Different Types of Motor Imitation in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

This study used a concurrent correlational design to examine associations between three types of motor imitation with objects and three proposed correlates in 32 two- and three-year-old children diagnosed with ASD. Attention-following and fine motor ability were significant, unique correlates of imitation in an observational learning context. Attention-following was a significant correlate of imitation in a direct elicitation context. Social reciprocity was a significant correlate of imitation in an interactive play context. These associations were observed after controlling for general developmental level. Results support previous findings that motor imitation may not reflect a unitary construct for children with ASD and that different skills may underlie the performance of different types of motor imitation. Implications for interventions targeting motor imitation are discussed.

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Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Dr Ann Garfinkle during the initial stages of this project and the ongoing contributions of Amy Swanson. In addition, we deeply appreciate the cooperation of the parents and children who participated in this research.

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Author notes

  1. Andrea McDuffie

    Present address: School of Education, Indiana University, 201 North Rose Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47401, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology & Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Lauren Turner & Teresa Ulman

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Nashville, TN, USA

    Wendy Stone

  3. Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Andrea McDuffie, Paul Yoder & Mark Wolery

Authors
  1. Andrea McDuffie
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  2. Lauren Turner
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  6. Teresa Ulman
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Correspondence to Andrea McDuffie.

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McDuffie, A., Turner, L., Stone, W. et al. Developmental Correlates of Different Types of Motor Imitation in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 401–412 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0175-1

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