More is less: pitch discrimination and language delays in children with optimal outcomes from autism.
The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed behaviorally but associated with differences in brain development. Individuals with ASD exhibit superior auditory perceptual skills, which may correlate with ASD symptomatology, particularly language skills. We describe findings from individuals diagnosed with ASD before age five, who now have no symptoms (e.g., having optimal outcomes). Unlike an ASD group, which shows heightened pitch discrimination, the Optimal Outcome group's abilities do not differ from those of typically developing controls. Furthermore, pitch discrimination is associated with both current autism symptomatology and early-language milestones. Findings illuminate processes associated with resolution of autism. We also discuss a specific mechanism by which heightened auditory discrimination leads to language delays in ASD.
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
Inge-Marie
IM
Eigsti
Deborah A
DA
Fein
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D010897:Pitch Discrimination / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
auditory perception; autism; language; language delays; long-term outcomes