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| CANCELLED: MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCES: THE PREQUEL |
| Sunday, May 24, 2009 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| North 126 |
| Area: AUT/DEV; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Chair: Nicole Suchomel (University of North Texas) |
| Discussant: Rebecca P. F. MacDonald (The New England Center for Children) |
| Abstract: The purpose of this symposium is to present data from a pilot observational system for infant social behavior. The observation system is being designed to capture the emergence of imitation, joint attention, and responsiveness to social stimulation in infants. Infants 1-30 weeks of age were observed in their homes playing with their mothers as part of a longitudinal study. Five mother-infant dyads were observed once per week for twelve weeks, during a ten-minute play session. The observation methods were based on methods described in the infant literature (e.g., Bakeman & Adamson, 1984; Kokkinaki & Kugiumutzakis, 2000) and on the methods described by Hart and Risley (1999). It is hoped that the data from the observation system will help inform and assess the effectiveness of infant and toddler interventions in ASD. In particular, it is hoped that the observation system will help interventionists evaluate intervention procedures and refine shaping methods to increase social responding in infants and toddlers with ASD. Three components of the data collection and analysis will be presented and Dr. Rebecca McDonald, an expert in early intervention in autism, will discuss the preliminary findings. |
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| Observing Typical Infant Imitation to Inform Infant Interventions in ASD |
| CARLEY WALTENBURG (University of North Texas), Nicole Suchomel (University of North Texas), Kellyn Joi Johnson (University of North Texas), Lashanna Brunson (University of North Texas), Jesus Rosales-Ruiz (University of North Texas), Shahla S. Ala'i-Rosales (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: The primary objective of this portion of the recording system was to observe the development of imitative behaviors in typically developing infants and how reliably and consistently these behaviors can be measured in an infant’s natural environment. Observations were coded based on the topography of the mother’s and infant’s behavior that included facial movement, motor movement, object movement, and vocalizations. |
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| Observing Typical Infant Joint Attention to Inform Infant Interventions in ASD |
| NICOLE SUCHOMEL (University of North Texas), Carley Waltenburg (University of North Texas), Samantha Nelson (University of North Texas), Lashanna Brunson (University of North Texas), Jesus Rosales-Ruiz (University of North Texas), Shahla S. Ala'i-Rosales (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: The primary concern for this portion of the system was how attention-seeking behaviors developed in typically developing infants and how reliably and consistently these behaviors can be measured in an infant’s natural environment. Observations were coded using a state-based format that included person engagement, object engagement, supported joint engagement, coordinated joint engagement, and unengaged. Child behaviors of reaching, grabbing, and manipulating objects were coded as well as all child and adult vocalizations. |
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| Observing Typical Parent Responsiveness to Inform Infant Interventions in ASD |
| SHAHLA S. ALA'I-ROSALES (University of North Texas), Nicole Suchomel (University of North Texas), Carley Waltenburg (University of North Texas), Samantha Nelson (University of North Texas), Lashanna Brunson (University of North Texas), Kellyn Joi Johnson (University of North Texas), Jesus Rosales-Ruiz (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: In addition to measures of imitation and joint attention, parent responsiveness was also recorded. This included coding of parent physical gestures, vocalizations, play actions, positioning and affect that occurred immediately following infant motor, imitation, attention and vocal responses during the naturalistic home observations. |
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