ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For many years, and especially since Waynbaum and Wallon, psychology and psychopathology have dealt with cognitive perception, but have had little to do with the affective qualities of perception. Our aim was to study the influence of the sensory environment on people with autism. METHOD: Several experiments were carried out using different forms of tactile stimulation (passive and active subjects). RESULTS: Our data showed specific responses in children with autism and intellectual disability. These children displayed a strong (positive) valence to the stimulation provided. CONCLUSION: They were very attracted to the stimulation and were excited by it.
Subject(s)
Affect , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Touch , Autistic Disorder/epidemiology , Child , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the psychological development of children with pervasive developmental disorders over a period of 3 years and to identify the factors linked to their developmental paths. METHOD: The study was a collaborative and prospective follow-up study of 219 preschoolers. Retrospective data and enrollment data were collected at the beginning of the study and 3 years later. RESULTS: We observed high variability in the short-term outcomes of preschoolers. In line with previous research, our results showed that intellectual, linguistic and adaptive functioning were useful for predicting outcome. The severity of a child's autistic symptoms appears to be related to his or her future development. These variables can therefore be used as predictors of outcome for preschoolers with autism. CONCLUSION: Developmental and symptom changes in young children with autism should not be overlooked and need to be assessed regularly in view of choosing suitable servicing programs.
