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Early Echoic Imitation Predicts Reduction in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Symptoms: A Retrospective Study of Toddlers

Amelia Yanchik*, Leah Esther Lax, Ghowash Irshad, Peter Vietze

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2013) describes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to include deficits in social interaction and communication skills. Delayed speech affects the severity of ASD symptoms. Therefore, evidence-based treatment is essential to reduce language delays in children with ASD. Skinner proposed that echoic behavior was essential for language skills. Thus, echoic behavior might reduce the severity of symptoms. The current study examined verbal skills that predict the efficacy of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention. Participants included 143 children between 21-40-month-old from families with varied language backgrounds in an urban center-based ABA program. Before enrollment, the children were tested with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition (BSID), Childhood Autism Rating Scale-second edition (CARS-2) and the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VBMAPP). The children were classified into five groups by degree of symptom reduction at the end of the program. These groups were compared for cognitive development, language skills, echoic vocal (echoic behavior) and non-echoic vocal behavior they displayed at program entry. Children with the greatest reduction in ASD symptoms had the highest pre-intervention echoic behavior and the largest difference between echoic behavior and non-echoic vocal behavior. Results show that early echoic behavior predicted reduction in ASD symptoms. This study shows that early vocal imitation may be predictive of ASD symptom reduction and ABA efficacy.