Joint Attention Deficit and Its Relationship to Social Interaction in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between poor joint attention and social interaction among a sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to determine if there were differences attributable to gender. The study employed a descriptive correlational approach and was conducted on a sample of 50 children with ASD, aged 3–11 years, purposively selected from the Solidarity Center in Tripoli. The study utilized the Joint Attention Scale and the Social Interaction Scale for Children with Autism. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, Pearson's correlation test, and the independent samples t-test. The results showed that the level of joint attention and social interaction among the participants was at an average level. Furthermore, the results revealed a strong, statistically significant positive correlation between joint attention and social interaction, indicating that improved joint attention is associated with higher levels of social interaction among children with ASD. Conversely, the results did not reveal any statistically significant differences in either joint attention or social interaction based on gender. The study emphasizes the importance of shared attention as a key variable that contributes to enhancing social interaction among children with autism spectrum disorder, and recommends that it be included in early training and intervention programs.