Training on Shared Attention and Imitation for Learning Practical Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Low Intellective Functioning Aged 4-7 Years
Giorgia De Giovannini, Donatella Colina, Tiziana Priolo
This article aims to describe the results achieved in subjects diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) following a specific 6-month neuropsychomotor training programme. The study, carried out at the Centro Boggiano Pico Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, a specialized centre which is part of the Opera Don Orione in Genoa, finds theoretical bases in the article Social decision making in autism (Khalil et al., 2018). The research case study, composed of 18 children with low intellectual functioning and aged between 4 and 7 years, was divided into two groups. Of the cases examined, 12 were followed up twice a week with neuropsychomotor treatment aimed at the research goals, while 6 cases were considered the control group. The purpose was to increase the learning of practical skills following specific neuropsychomotor training regarding the activation of mirror neurons, specifically by enhancing shared attention and imitation. Evaluations were carried out at T0 and after six months in all 18 subjects. At the end of the specific training period, it was possible to see a clear improvement in the 12 case studies both in the treatment focus areas and in the motor-practical area.
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intersubjectivity, Shared attention, Imitation, Practical skills, Motor skills, Neuropsychomotor treatment, Mirror neurons.