Temporal analysis of attentional processes in spontaneous interactions between people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and their support workers.
Joint attention is too rare to bank on in PIMD dyads, so use shared attention and affect mirroring to stay connected.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Schroeder et al. (2014) filmed adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities during everyday chats with their support workers.
They coded every glance, point, or show second-by-second to see who started joint attention and when it kept going.
What they found
Joint attention almost never happened. Shared attention—both looking at the same thing without checking in—was the norm.
When someone did start joint attention, it did not make more joint attention likely later. The moments were random.
How this fits with other research
Warreyn et al. (2007) saw preschoolers with autism also struggle to start joint attention, but their gaze patterns were slow and odd. H et al. show the problem is even starker in adults with PIMD—episodes are rare and unpredictable.
Levin et al. (2014) studied the same PIMD dyads and found workers often mirrored tiny smiles or frowns. Pair the two studies: affect attunement is present, yet joint attention is not, so warmth can live without shared gaze.
Sasson et al. (2018) report that children with Down syndrome readily use joint attention. The new data say PIMD is different; low rates are not just “delay” but a separate profile.
Why it matters
Stop waiting for classic joint attention in adults with PIMD. Build lessons around shared attention instead—place items where both of you can see and touch them. Celebrate tiny affect cues, then keep the activity moving.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Few studies examined joint attention in interactions with people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), although being an important component of high-quality interaction. The purpose of this study is to describe initiating joint attention behaviour from people with PIMD and their support workers as well as the sequential relationship between initiating joint attention behaviour and attention episodes in spontaneous interactions. METHOD: Video observations of 28 support worker-client dyads were coded using partial interval coding. RESULTS: Results show much variation across persons and dyads. Within the support worker-client dyad, there is not much joint attention but shared attention is frequently occurring. In general, people with PIMD are directing the attention of their interaction partner at low rates. The support workers are frequently directing the attention of the clients towards a topic of interest but not often through the tactile modality. The occurrence of an attention episode cannot be predicted on the basis of preceding initiating joint attention behaviour of the interaction partners. CONCLUSION: This study presents directions for future research and implications for practice. It may increase support workers' knowledge of their own contributions, strengths and weaknesses in directing and maintaining attention within interactions with people with PIMD.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2014 · doi:10.1111/jir.12067