An experimental study of the social responsiveness of children with autistic behaviors

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Abstract

Relative strengths of positive (approach) and negative (avoidance) response tendencies, and the extent to which social responsiveness could be influenced by preliminary interactions with another person, were examined in 45 institutionalized retarded boys with extreme autistic behavior, 45 nonautistic retarded boys from the same institution, and 45 noninstitutionalized normal boys. Subjects played a two-part marble dropping game with an adult male E following preliminary positive, negative, or no initial contact. Results indicated reduced positive responsiveness and active avoidance of interpersonal contact among Autistic Ss. Autistic Ss spent less total time in the game and were more physically distant from E, compared to Normal Ss, and to a lesser extent Retarded Ss. Autistic Ss showed the same magnitude of differential responsiveness to preliminary interactions as did Retarded Ss. Findings suggested further examination of the sensitivity of autistic children to interpersonal events.

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    This article is based upon a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University. The study was partially supported by National Institute Child Health and Human Development Training Grant No. HD-03008. The author expresses deepest appreciation to Edward Zigler for his invaluable guidance and encouragement, and sincere thanks to Murray Levine, Fred Sheffield, Seymour Sarason, and Susan Harter for their helpful assistance. Thanks are also extended to assistants Charles M. Sexton and Michael Pfeiffer.

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