Fact Sheet #1: Joint Attention

Joint attention is an important and complex skill that emerges early in development as children first learn to shift their attention to and from caregivers, objects, and toys in their environment. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have difficulty learning joint attention and lack of joint attention can interfere with the development of other social communication skills. However, there is considerable research surrounding strategies that can improve and build joint attention skills.