Method

1. Parent-Mediated Interventions and the Effects of Maternal Sensitivity on Joint Attention Skills and Social Responsiveness in Young Children with Autism • Ann M. Mastergeorge &Chandni Parikh • Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona Method Background • A path model in Mplus was analyzed for changes in children’s joint attention and maternal sensitivity scores pre-and post-intervention. • There were direct positive effects of the intervention between maternal sensitivity • (β = .43, p <.05), joint attention (β = .57, p < .01), and child involvement (β = .67, p < .05) were found pre-and post-intervention. • There were no indirect effects of child involvement on joint attention post-intervention. • However, child involvement did significantly influence maternal sensitivity post-intervention • (β = .21, p < .05). • A total sample of (N=14) mother-child dyads completed a 16-week parent-mediated intervention. • Children were diagnosed with autism using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS; Lord, 2002). • 3 females and 11 males with chronological ages ranging from 20.2 to 44.1 months (M= 32.84, SD= 6.58). • Mental ages of children ranged from 14 to 51 months (M= 24.13, SD= 10.98). Young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders often have deficits in joint attention and subsequent language development. Parent-mediated interventions aim for parent and child engagement in targeted activities designed to enhance repeated opportunities for reciprocity in every day interactions. Mother-child interactions that are characterized by sensitivity, synchrony, and responsivityinfluence social competency that allow children with autism opportunities to initiate and respond to functional communication (Aldred et al., 2012; Siller & Sigman, 2002). The positive outcomes of parent-mediated interventions are likely mediated by the quality of the parent-child interactions (Dolev et al., 2009; Rogers et al., 2012). These interventions provide learning opportunities for young children with autism to develop pivotal skills in turn-taking and social reciprocity through the dyadic interactions between the mother and the child (Vaughan Van Hecke et al., 2012). Results Child’s Joint Attention Pre-Intervention Child’s Joint Attention Post-Intervention 0.57** n.s. n.s. Conclusions This study contributes to our understanding of targeted parent-mediated interventions: maternal sensitivity and children’s joint attention behaviors change significantly over the course of the intervention. Parents of young children with autism can be powerful mediators of change in dyadic engagement: not only for their own behaviors in interactions, but also influence significant bidirectional effects during the 16-week intervention. Important policy implications for engaging stakeholders: Agencieswho fund early intervention programs need to understand the important and pivotal role parents play in evidence-based parent-mediated interventions. Child’s Involvement Pre-Intervention Child Involvement 0.67* 0.21* n.s. Maternal Sensitivity Pre-Intervention Maternal Sensitivity Post-Intervention 0.43* The purpose of this study was to examine changes in maternal sensitivity and child joint attention skills during the parent-mediated joint attention intervention. Model fit: 2 (df = 12) = 62.34, p < .001; CFI = 1.00; RMSEA = 0.00 (.000 - .001). *p < .05. **p < .01.