There is a growing interest in the role of
biological and behavioral rhythms in typical and atypical development. Recent studies in cognitive and developmental psychology have highlighted the importance of rhythmicity and synchrony of motor, emotional, and interpersonal rhythms in early development of social communication. The synchronization of rhythms allows tuning and adaptation to the external environment. The role of
melatonin in the ontogenetic establishment of circadian rhythms and the synchronization of the circadian clocks network suggests that this
hormone might be also involved in the synchrony of motor, emotional, and interpersonal rhythms.
Autism provides a challenging model of physiological and behavioral rhythm disturbances and their possible effects on the development of social communication impairments and repetitive behaviors and interests. This article situates
autism as a disorder of
biological and behavioral rhythms and reviews the recent literature on the role of rhythmicity and synchrony of rhythms in child development. Finally, the hypothesis is developed that an integrated approach focusing on
biological, motor, emotional, and interpersonal rhythms may open interesting therapeutic perspectives for children with
autism. More specifically, promising avenues are discussed for potential therapeutic benefits in
autism spectrum disorder of
melatonin combined with developmental behavioral interventions that emphasize synchrony, such as the Early Start Denver Model.