Joint Attention Ability in Autism and Mental Disability. A Multiple Case Study

Abstract A particularly important indicator in diagnosing autism is the deficit in joint attention. This concept refers to a socio-communicative, pre-linguistic ability, which is accomplished by shared gestures and mutual monitoring of the attention given to an object or a certain event (Adamson, Bakeman and Deckner, 2004; Slaughter and McConnell, 2003). Joint attention mechanism is considered a pivotal ability, its development determining other functional areas to progress. Therefore, our research focuses on the development of this ability seen as the basis for a subsequent functioning as close to the normal parameters as possible. A functional evaluation of the joint attention ability was conducted for the three cases involved in this research and the effects of an intervention plan meant to develop this behavior were evaluated. The therapeutic process was structured on stages and conceived in accordance with the particularities and characteristics of each case, these being the premises for the program’s success. The positive results in acquiring this behavior are highlighted by the assessment of the therapy. This gives us the right to think that the therapy will have positive effects upon other developmental areas of these children, thus improving the quality of their lives.