Toddlers with Autism Show Improved Social Skills Following Targeted Intervention

Author: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Published: 2010/12/08 - Updated: 2025/02/20
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Research, Study, Analysis
Category Topic: Autism Information - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This article provides a comprehensive overview of the social challenges often encountered by children with autism and outlines practical strategies aimed at improving their interaction skills. It explains common behavioral traits associated with autism and emphasizes the importance of early intervention and individualized support in fostering more effective social engagement. By integrating current research insights with clear, real-life examples, the piece offers valuable guidance for parents, educators, and caregivers, while also serving as an informative resource for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and others interested in understanding and addressing social skill development - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

Targeting the core social deficits of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in early intervention programs yielded sustained improvements in social and communication skills even in very young children who have ASD, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study was published online December 8, 2010, in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Main Content

Although some research suggests that ASD may be reliably diagnosed earlier than the current average age of 3 years, few interventions have been tested in children younger than 3.

During the course of typical development, children learn to interact with others in socially meaningful ways. Measures of social communication include:

• Initiation of joint attention: Spontaneously directing others' attention to something of interest, such as by pointing or holding something up to show for social purposes rather than to ask for help.
• Affect sharing: Sharing emotions with others through facial expressions paired with eye contact.
• Socially engaged imitation: Imitating others' actions while showing social connectedness through eye contact.

Deficits in such measures are hallmark symptoms of ASD and can severely limit a child's ability to engage in and learn from interactions with others or from the world around them.

"This new report is encouraging, as the effects on social behavior appear to provide a scaffold for the development of skills beyond the research setting," said NIMH Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D. "We need better early interventions for the core deficits of autism."

Funded through the Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment (STAART) Network, Rebecca Landa, Ph.D., of Kennedy Krieger Institute, and colleagues randomly assigned 50 toddlers, ages 21-33 months old, who were diagnosed with ASD to one of two six-month interventions: Interpersonal Synchrony (IS) or Non-Interpersonal Synchrony (non-IS). Both interventions incorporated classroom-based activities led by a trained intervention provider, and a home-based component involving parents who received specialized education and in-home training.

The interventions were designed to encourage children to make frequent and intentional efforts to engage others in communication or play.

The single difference between interventions was that the IS group received more opportunities for joint attention, affect sharing, and socially engaged imitation. The toddlers were assessed at the start and end of the intervention and again six months later.

Children in both groups made improvements in social, cognitive and language skills during the six-month intervention period. Children who received IS made greater and more rapid gains than those in the non-IS group. The researchers also noted that children in the IS group used their newly acquired abilities with different people, locations, and type of activity. This is noteworthy because children with ASD have particular difficulty doing so. They tend to use new skills mostly within familiar routines and situations.

At the six-month follow-up, children in the IS group showed slower improvements in social communication compared to when they were receiving the intervention, but did not lose skills gained during the intervention period. In contrast, children in the non-IS group showed reduced social communication skills at follow-up compared to their performance during the intervention period.

"This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine an intervention focused on core social deficits of ASD in toddlers, and the first to show gains in these deficits resulting from intervention," said Landa. "Though preliminary, our findings provide promising evidence that such a supplementary curriculum can help improve social and communication skills in children younger than 3 who have ASD."

Reference

1) Landa RJ, Holman KC, O'Neill AH, Stuart EA. Intervention Targeting Development of Socially Synchronous Engagement in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Ch Psychol Psychiatry. 2010 Dec 8.

2) The researchers received additional study funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

This article leaves us with a thoughtful reminder that meaningful progress in social skills for children with autism is built on understanding, individualized support, and consistent effort. The discussion artfully blends practical strategies with real-life examples and current insights, offering a roadmap that resonates with parents, educators, and caregivers alike. It underscores the value of early intervention and personalized approaches while gently inviting all readers - including those with disabilities and seniors - to reflect on how small, considerate steps can enrich community interactions. Ultimately, the piece serves as a quiet call to keep exploring compassionate ways to nurture social development and inclusivity

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and published on 2010/12/08, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.