ERIC Number: EJ1360555
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jan
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Autistic Children Who Create Imaginary Companions: Evidence of Social Benefits
Davis, Paige E.; Slater, Jessica; Marshall, David; Robins, Diana L.
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n1 p244-252 Jan 2023
Past research shows that autistic children can and do create imaginary companions (ICs), and that these ICs resemble those that neurotypical children create. Neurotypical children creating ICs have been found to have significantly more developed theory of mind (ToM) and social understanding among other enhanced social cognitive skills. The study set out to determine if this finding applies to autistic children. Parents of 124 (38 female) autistic children, ages from 5 to -12 years old, completed questionnaires evaluating communication, social understanding, and social skills. Children with ICs had significantly higher ToM and social skills scores regardless of their communication abilities. Findings suggest that there is a variability in ToM and social skills in autistic children in reference to an IC play profile. Results are discussed in terms of direction of causality and lab-based investigations.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Imagination, Friendship, Fantasy, Child Development, Females, Interpersonal Competence, Play, Parents
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A