ERIC Number: EJ1087855
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Dec
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9630
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Preschool Language Variation, Growth, and Predictors in Children on the Autism Spectrum
Ellis Weismer, Susan; Kover, Sara T.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, v56 n12 p1327-1337 Dec 2015
Background: There is wide variation in language abilities among young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), with some toddlers developing age-appropriate language while others remain minimally verbal after age 5. Conflicting findings exist regarding predictors of language outcomes in ASD and various methodological issues limit the conclusions that can be drawn about factors associated with positive language growth that could provide insights into more effective intervention approaches for increasing communication skills. Methods: Language development was investigated in 129 children with ASD participating in four assessments from mean age 2½ years (Visit 1) through 5½ years (Visit 4). Language ability was measured by a clinician-administered test of comprehension and production. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to identify predictors of language ability. Stability of language status was examined in subgroups of Preverbal versus Verbal children identified at Visit 1. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify another subset of cases according to Low Language (minimally verbal) versus High Language outcome at Visit 4. Results: ASD severity was a significant predictor of growth in both language comprehension and production during the preschool period, while cognition predicted growth in production. For the highest and lowest language performers at Visit 4, cognition, maternal education, and response to joint attention correctly classified over 80% of total cases. The vast majority of children who were preverbal at 2½ years attained some level of verbal skills by 5½ years. Conclusions: Findings indicate that it is possible, by 2½ years, to predict language growth for children with ASD across the preschool years and identify factors that discriminate between children who remain minimally verbal at 5½ years from those with high language proficiency. Results suggest that early intervention focused on reducing core ASD symptoms may also be important for facilitating language development in young children with ASD.
Descriptors: Preschool Children, Language Acquisition, Communication Skills, Intervention, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Predictor Variables, Language Tests, Language Processing, Verbal Ability, Severity (of Disability), Schemata (Cognition), Oral Language, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Language Proficiency
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R01DC007223; T32DC005359; P30HD03352
Author Affiliations: N/A