2 Social Interaction Problems in Infants and Preschool Children

Abstract

This chapter discusses the social interaction problems in infants and preschool children. Social interaction is important for social and emotional development. Problems in social interaction are often evident in children with psychiatric and developmental disorders In the literature, many aspects of social behavior have been included under social interaction (social skills, social competence). It is important to define social interaction and distinguish it from other concepts of social behavior and social development. Social interaction can be defined as an intentional event in which one person's behavior is directed toward another person or is in response to the other person's behavior. The developmental progression of social interaction in infants and preschool children is discussed. Methods to assess social interaction in infants and preschool children is described, which is followed by a description of social interaction problems in infants and preschool children with autism and fragile X syndrome.