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Tell Me Where It Is: Selective Difficulties in Spatial Language on the Autism Spectrum

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Tell Me Where It Is: Selective Difficulties in Spatial Language on the Autism Spectrum
Language: English
Authors: Bochynska, Agata (ORCID 0000-0001-6211-8600), Coventry, Kenny R., Vulchanov, Valentin, Vulchanova, Mila
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Oct 2020 24(7):1740-1757.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2020
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Spatial Ability, Intervention, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Recall (Psychology), Language Skills, Comparative Analysis, Cognitive Ability, Verbal Ability, Prediction, Task Analysis, Language Usage, Language Acquisition, Form Classes (Languages), Children, Intelligence Tests, Language Tests, Foreign Countries, Naming, Adolescents
Geographic Terms: Norway
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Test of Language Development
DOI: 10.1177/1362361320921040
ISSN: 1362-3613
Abstract: Proficient use of spatial terms such as "under," "to the left of" or "in front of" is a central component of daily communication and is important in the development of language and spatial cognition. Here we examine spatial language abilities in intellectually high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder, an area previously overlooked in autism research. Twenty-five high-functioning individuals with ASD and 25 typically developing controls, matched for chronological age and cognitive abilities, completed a novel battery tapping a broad range of spatial language abilities. We report selective difficulties in the production of spatial terms and spatial description recall in high-functioning ASD. Overall verbal abilities did not account for the observed group differences. Crucially, however, the intensity of autism spectrum traits predicted individual performance in both spatial language production and spatial description recall. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and explore their significance for both clinical practice and intervention.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1269472
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Proficient use of spatial terms such as "under," "to the left of" or "in front of" is a central component of daily communication and is important in the development of language and spatial cognition. Here we examine spatial language abilities in intellectually high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder, an area previously overlooked in autism research. Twenty-five high-functioning individuals with ASD and 25 typically developing controls, matched for chronological age and cognitive abilities, completed a novel battery tapping a broad range of spatial language abilities. We report selective difficulties in the production of spatial terms and spatial description recall in high-functioning ASD. Overall verbal abilities did not account for the observed group differences. Crucially, however, the intensity of autism spectrum traits predicted individual performance in both spatial language production and spatial description recall. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and explore their significance for both clinical practice and intervention.
ISSN:1362-3613
DOI:10.1177/1362361320921040