Research summaries for autism therapy: imitation

definition of imitation: Imitation is a form of mimicking or copying behavior or activities. Some children with autism may have difficulty in reading facial expressions or in communication skills. Learning to imitate neuro-typical emotions and behaviors may improve social skills.
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Shared Minds: Effects of a Mother’s Imitation of Her Child on the Mother-Child Interaction, Summarized Dec 25, 2009

Mothers who imitate their child with autism may help teach nonverbal social skills and feel more positive about their relationship with their children.

This case report describes a therapy approach where the mother imitated her 21-month-old child with autism. The mother and child were together for sessions with therapists for 60 minutes per month, and the mother was taught how to continue therapy at home. For the first two months, she spent 5 minutes every day playing with her child and responding to him. For the next two months, she imitated her child’s facial expressions and sounds during play.... Read more...

Facial Sinthesys [sic] of 3D Avatars for Therapeutic Applications, Summarized Nov 4, 2009

Computer-generated human images that respond to input may help children with autism learn to read facial expressions.

A new method may help teach people with autism to learn to read emotions in a fun way. Computer images of people called avatars may be tailored to use during therapy to teach facial expressions. The author describes a new system that allows the patient to interact with the computer. The patient can also imitate the avatar. The user learns skills while they are playing a game. Read more...

Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, and Malabsorption: Characterization of a Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that Responds to Omega 3 and Vitamin E Supplementation, Summarized Sep 4, 2009

Combined vitamin E and omega 3 therapy may help a type of verbal apraxia (speech problems) that may be caused by food allergies and nutritional problems, and could affect children with autism.... Almost all of the families reported that the children who received vitamin E and omega 3 therapy had better speech, imitation, coordination, and eye contact. The authors also described blood test results for 26 of the children.... Read more...

When “Simon Says” Doesn’t Work: Alternatives to Imitation for Facilitating Early Speech Development, Summarized Jul 20, 2009

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and other methods may help children with autism learn to speak.

Some children with autism do not imitate the sounds of others. For these children, several speech therapy methods may help them learn to speak. AAC is often the first strategy to help them learn enough communication to be able to have some social interactions. There are five other methods that may also help these children: 1) avoid pressuring children to speak, and use puppets and play as encouragement instead; 2) imitate the child and they may start imitating others; 3) use exaggerated sounds and speak slowly; 4) use visual feedback and touch to help teach skills; and 5) add exercises for mouth movements that are specific to speech. Read more...

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Synonyms for imitation include: imitate, imitation skills, mimic
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