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Imitation is an essential part of learning communication and social skills. Deficits in this important milestone often signal a developmental delay. Some individuals with autism, especially those with intellectual delays, have poor imitation skills. Children with poor imitation skills need direct, explicit instruction to master skills that other children simply learn through imitation.

A group of researchers in France hypothesized that one reason imitation is difficult for individuals with autism, is the speed of biological movement. In Slowing Down the Presentation of Facial and Body Movements Enhances Imitation Performance in Children with Severe Autism, these researchers tested their hypothesis. They recruited 19 children with autism, 37 typically developing children, and 17 children with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome were included in the study to test whether the results applied to other disability categories rather than just autism. The children were paired based on verbal and non-verbal mental age.

A model was taped performing a series of movements at regular speed. The movements were then slowed down. Children watched the both the normal speed and slowed down videos and were asked to imitate the final motion. Researchers scored each child on accuracy of imitation.

The data regarding children with autism was analyzed by groups of IQs and severity as measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Children with high IQs and low CARS scores performed well in imitation of the movements at regular speeds. Children with lower IQs or high CARS scores performed significantly better at imitating movements when the video model was slowed down. Most of the typically developing children and children with Down syndrome, scored high on imitation skills with movement at regular speeds. The children in this group who did not score well showed no improvement in imitation when assessed with the slowed down video model. The researchers believe this supports the specific utility of slowing down motions for imitation in children with autism.

Children significantly affected by autism show improved imitation skill with slowed down modeling. Teachers and parents can easily incorporate this into play. When playing imitative games, slow down movements. Future research will examine whether the imitation of slowed down movements leads to greater gains in communication and social skills.

Reference

Laine, France, Rauzy, Stephanie, Tardif, Carole, and Bruno Gepner (2011). Slowing Down the Presentation of Facial and Body Movements Enhances Imitation Performance in Children with Severe Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 41: 983-996.