Varying language register according to listener needs in speakers with autism spectrum disorder.
The ability to adjust language register, or style, according to listener needs was assessed in 38 high-functioning children and adolescents with ASD. Participants were asked to explain the process of going to a restaurant to a series of listeners who varied in linguistic competence. Results showed that participants with ASD spontaneously simplified their language based on a listener's appearance and a brief introduction, but were not as adept at that adjustment as matched controls. Further stylistic adjustments were produced following increasingly specific prompts.
Volden
Joanne
J
Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2G4. joanne.volden@ualberta.ca
Magill-Evans
Joyce
J
Goulden
Keith
K
Clarke
Margaret
M
D000367:Age Factors; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D012016:Reference Values; D012660:Semantics; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013068:Speech Production Measurement