Identifier
etd-06212011-142520
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by pervasive impairments in repetitive behaviors or interests, communication, and socialization. As the onset of these features occurs at a very young age, early detection is of the utmost importance. In an attempt to better clarify the behavioral presentation of communication and socialization deficits to aid in early assessment and intervention, impairments in these areas were examined among infants and toddlers (17-37 months) with Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and non-ASD related developmental delay. The Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part1 (BISCUIT-Part1) and the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd Edition (BDI-2) were utilized to examine communication and socialization levels, respectively, among these groups. All groups significantly differed on level of socialization impairment with the Autism group displaying the greatest impairment and the non-ASD related developmental delay group evincing the least impairment. In regards to communication deficits, the non-ASD related developmentally delayed group differed significantly in comparison to the Autism and PDD-NOS groups; however, no significant differences were found between children with AD and PDD-NOS. While communication and socialization impairments were found to significantly correlate for all participants with the exception of those with PDD-NOS, these correlations were not found to significantly differ from one another across groups. A regression analysis examining which communication items on the BISCUIT-Part1 predicted socialization impairment on the BDI-2 found that the two significant predictors were use of language in conversation with others and communicates effectively (e.g., using words, gestures or sign language). The implications, limitations, and future directions of these results are discussed.
Date
2011
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Hattier, Megan Alice, "An examination of the relationship between communication and socialization deficits in infants and toddlers with autism and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD_NOS)" (2011). LSU Master's Theses. 1134.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/1134
Committee Chair
Matson, Johnny L.
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.1134