Relations entre particularités sensorielles et imitation chez les enfants TSA de 3 à 5 ans

Abstract

ObjectiveAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder resulting on atypical cognitive development characterized by communication and language disorders, restricted behaviors and sensory abnormalities, present in the most of subjects. These abnormalities cause many disorders, including motor and sensory-motor troubles. Imitation, which is characterized by the coordination between a visually perceived behavior and actively produced behavior, is in this perspective, a sophisticated sensory-motor coordination. It is strongly troubled in children with ASD, with significant negative effects on their future socio-communicative development. The aim of this research is to determine if imitation disorders increase with the number of sensory abnormalities. MethodsTwenty-two children (18 boys), aged from 3 to 5 years, were included in this study. Autism was assessed by the Chilhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation schedule (ADOS). Dunn's Sensory and Revised Perceptual Profile was administered to determine the sensory profile for five senses: visual, auditive, tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular. Four types of imitation were evaluated: facial, motor, vocal and object. Statistical analyzes were conducted on the different scores obtained. ResultsAll children with autism have sensory abnormalities and imitation disorders. The more the children have sensory particularities, especially visual, the more their imitation skills are weak, especially in facial imitation. Imitation on object, conversely, seems less impacted. ConclusionThe sensory abnormalities could constitute a screen to the realization of the imitative tasks, by preventing the children to reach the social dimension of the imitation for example. These results illustrate the need to take into account these sensory features in specific care.