ERIC Number: EJ1119041
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Oct
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1092-4388
EISSN: N/A
Joint Engagement and Early Language in Young Children with Fragile X Syndrome
Hahn, Laura J.; Brady, Nancy C.; Fleming, Kandace; Warren, Steven F.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v59 n5 p1087-1098 Oct 2016
Purpose: In this study, we examine joint engagement (JE) in young children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and its relationship to language abilities and autism spectrum disorder symptomatology at 24 to 36 months (toddler period) and 59 to 68 months (child period). Method: Participants were 28 children with FXS (24 boys, four girls) and their mothers. Videotaped home observations were conducted during the toddler period and coded for JE. Language abilities were measured at both ages from a developmental assessment, a functional measure, and from a language sample. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (Schopler, Reichler, & Renner, 1988) was completed at both ages. Results: Children with FXS spent more time in supported JE than in coordinated JE. Using a weighted JE variable, we found that children with FXS who had higher weighted JE scores also had more advanced expressive language skills at both the toddler and child periods. Weighted JE was negatively related to autism symptomatology in the toddler period. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that children with FXS who use more JE also have more advanced expressive language skills in early development. Therefore, existing early interventions that target JE behaviors may be effective for promoting language, social communication, and social interaction in this population.
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Correlation, Language Skills, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Rating Scales, Mothers, Weighted Scores, Toddlers, Expressive Language, Language Acquisition, Interpersonal Communication, Intervention, Genetic Disorders, Video Technology, Observation
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: T32HD057844; P30HD02528; P30HD003110