Autism Spectrum Disorder Specific Imitation Profiles in Preschoolers Without Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Imitation is the ability of an individual to reproduce an observed action whereby the own motor patterns are related to observed motor patterns. Regarding the importance of imitation to social communicative abilities it is important to determine imitation abilities in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Furthermore, the imitation profile of children with ASD may provide insight in how to encompass imitation training in interventions. The goal of the present study was to determine imitation abilities and the imitation profile of preschool children with ASD. In addition, it attempts to examine the association between imitation abilities and ' profile and developmental level and autism symptom severity respectively.