Establishing joint visual attention and pointing in autistic children with no functional language

Jun Ichi Yamamoto, Atsuko Kakutani, Masafusa Terada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Joint visual attention is defined as looking where someone else is looking. The purpose of this study was to examine the conditions for establishing joint visual attention in autistic children who have no functional speech. An experimenter, sitting facing the child, looked at one of six pictures near the child. Analysis showed that joint visual attention to stimuli behind the child and therefore outside of the visual field occurred at a higher rate when the visual angle between the stimuli was about 60°. Spontaneous pointing at the target object increased with training which included feedback and physical guidance. These results are discussed in terms of the effects of environmental variables and perceptual mechanisms on the emergence of joint visual attention in autistic children. The possibility of using an adult's social cues and expanding the child's visual field as a remedial procedure is also addressed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)755-770
Number of pages16
JournalPerceptual and Motor Skills
Volume92
Issue number3 PART 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001 Jun
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Sensory Systems

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