We explore the concept of mimicry, a form of imitation behavior, during the first year of life from a phenomenological perspective. We categorize two primary types of imitation within the first year: Type 1 - intentional imitation aimed at achieving a specific outcome, and Type 2 - non-intentional imitation. While discussing the potential implications of these two types of imitation, we propose that imitation with the anticipation of a result may only emerge when an infant starts perceiving themselves as an individual distinct from others. This realization typically occurs after the first semester of life in normal development. By utilizing available concepts related to imitation impairments in both infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing infants, we hypothesize whether mimicry could serve as a tool for screening Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Daniela Ceron-Litvoc has completed his PHD at the age of 42 years from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo - Brazil. She is the head of Brazilian Society of Phenomeno-Structural Psychopathology, the editor-in-chef of Contemporary Phenomenological Psychopathology Journal. She is also Coordinator of the courses "Phenomenological Clinic and Psychopathology in Childhood and Adolescence" and "Phenomenological Psychopathology in Clinical Practice" offered by SBPFE and Member of the qualitative research group at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine of USP.