Maternal Responsivity Predicts Language Development in Young Children With Fragile X Syndrome

Abstract

The relationship between early maternal responsivity and later child communication outcomes in young children with fragile X syndrome was investigated. Data were obtained from 55 mother–child dyads over a 36-month period. Performance data were obtained at each measurement point from video observations of four different contexts. These were coded for (a) child communication behaviors, (b) parent responsivity, and (c) behavior management behaviors. Results indicate that early maternal responsivity predicts the level of four important child language outcomes at 36 months of age after controlling for child developmental level and autism symptomology.

Growth of Expressive Syntax in Children With Fragile X Syndrome

“…The prevalence of autism in FXS is estimated between 25% and 50% (see McDuffie et al, 2010), and is often an indicator of greater delays in communication and language (Abbeduto et al, 2007;Lewis et al, 2006;Philofsky, Hepburn, Hayes, Hagerman, & Rogers, 2004;Roberts, Mirrett, & Burchinal, 2001;Warren, Brady, Sterling, Fleming, & Marquis, 2010). However, several studies have reported no distinct language profiles between individuals with comorbid FXS and autism and individuals with FXS only, particularly in areas of expressive language, such as morphosyntax (Estigarribia et al, 2011;Lewis et al, 2006;Price et al, 2008), lexical diversity, talkativeness, and dysfluency .…”

“…(Warren et al, 2010, p. 54). Two previous studies of children with FXS defined and measured responsivity according to the types of facilitative input and responses provided by mothers (Brady, Warren, Fleming, Keller, & Sterling, 2014;Warren et al, 2010). These studies specifically looked at how responsivity affected vocabulary outcomes.…”

Comparison of Social Engagement of Children Having Disabilities with Their Mothers and Fathers

“…The second main finding of the previous research is that children's rates of cognitive and communication development are positively correlated with their mother's level of responsiveness (e.g., Kim & Mahoney, 2005;Mahoney & Nam, 2011;Mahoney & Perales, 2003;Mahoney, Perales, Wiggers, & Herman, 2006;Yoder & Warren, 1998;Warren, Brady, Sterling, Fleming, & Marquis, 2010).These findings have not only been reported in descriptive research studies but also shown in experimental intervention studies (e.g., Kim & Mahoney, 2005;Yoder &Warren, 1998) as well. This effect has been reported with children who have diverse etiologies such as DS or autism as well as with children who have different IQs or DQs.…”

“…Studies that are focused on parent-child interaction (e.g., Karaaslan, Diken, & Mahoney, 2011;Mahoney, Boyce, Fewell, Spiker, & Wheeden, 1998;Mahoney, Powell, & Finger, 1985) also indicated that parents' interactional behaviors that are highly directive and relatively nonresponsive do not support an increase in the development of their child with disabilities (cited in Diken, 2012).Furthermore, a qualified parent-child interaction seems to decrease the disability of children with developmental delay, including DS and autism. It has been clearly established in the literature (e.g., Mahoney & Nam, 2011;Mahoney & Perales, 2003;Mahoney et al, 2006;Tamis-LeMonda et al, 2001;Tamis-LeMonda, Shannon, Cabrera, & Lamb, 2004;Warren et al, 2010) that during the early childhood years, parents promote the development of their children who have disabilities, including DS and ASD, by engaging in highly responsive interactions throughout their daily routines. Consistent with this interpretation, findings reported by the existing literature on parentchild interactions (e.g., Brady, Warren, & Sterling, 2009) revealed that responsiveness is also a primary influence on a child's development.…”

“…The effects of parental responsiveness have been reported with diverse populations of parents, including parents from Turkey, North America, and continental Europe. For example, some studies conducted with diverse populations of parents in different countries (e.g., Karaaslan, Diken, & Mahoney, 2013;Kim & Mahoney, 2004;Mahoney & Perales, 2005;Mahoney et al, 2006;Tamis-LeMonda, Bornstein, & Baumwell, 2001;Warren & Brady, 2007;Warren et al, 2010) indicated that highly responsive parenting styles might help improve a child's developmental domains, such as language, cognitive, and social-emotional functioning. A number of researchers (e.g., Karaaslan, Diken, & Mahoney, 2011;Kim & Mahoney, 2004Mahoney & Perales, 2005) proposed also that increases in children's pivotal behavior and parental responsiveness were associated with children's developmental improvements.…”