Social motivation in individuals with ASD is inferred from the observation of overt behaviors and neurological correlates. Motivation, however, can be distinguishable from overt behavior and neurologic reactivity. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the cognitive processes that may influence goal-directed tasks involved in social interaction.…

The relationship between dyadic (eye contact and affect) and triadic (joint attention) behaviours in infancy, and social responsiveness at pre-school age, was investigated in 36 children with Autistic Disorder. Measures of eye contact and affect, and joint attention, including requesting behaviours, were obtained retrospectively via parental…

Ninety children ages 6-15 (30 with autistic, 30 with mentally retarded, and 30 with nonhandicapped siblings) were interviewed concerning their sibling relationships. Among reported results was that, except for slightly more cohesive family relations, self-reports of children with nonhandicapped siblings did not differ from those of children with…

The skills, social impairments and challenging behaviours of a total population of 166 children, with severe intellectual disabilities and/or autism, were assessed through interview with the main carers, when the children were under 15 years old (time 1). Twelve years later, 141 of these individuals were re-assessed, using the same measures (time…