Influence of the interests of children with autism on everyday learning opportunities

Psychol Rep. 2010 Aug;107(1):281-8. doi: 10.2466/04.10.11.15.21.PR0.107.4.281-288.

Abstract

Findings from a pilot study investigating the influence of the interests of young children with autism on parents' provision of everyday informal child learning opportunities are described. 17 children (13 boys, 4 girls) were divided into two groups that received everyday learning opportunities of Low interest and High interest, based on parents' bi-weekly ratings of the interestingness of the opportunities to the children, using an investigator-developed measure. A brief intervention of 12 to 14 weeks showed that the children in the High interest-based group were provided more learning opportunities than were the Low interest-based group, and that the parents indicated that their children benefited more from the learning opportunities. Implications for future research are described.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Early Intervention, Educational*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Social Environment*