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"Look Who's Talking": Language Patterns in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth Across Different Conversation Partners.

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Title: "Look Who's Talking": Language Patterns in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth Across Different Conversation Partners.
Authors: Richardson, Alesia A. (AUTHOR), Zampella, Casey J. (AUTHOR), Bennetto, Loisa (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Feb2026, Vol. 56 Issue 2, p722-734. 13p.
Subjects: Pearson correlation (Statistics), Conversation, Data analysis, Research funding, Autism, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Speech evaluation, Analysis of variance, Statistics, Asperger's syndrome, Comparative studies, Language acquisition, Adolescence, Children
Abstract: Autistic individuals have varying levels of verbal fluency which can impact social outcomes. Although 70–75% of autistic individuals have functional language, findings regarding language patterns (syntax and semantics) in autistic adolescents remain inconclusive. Additionally, previous studies of language complexity use narrative samples, which do not capture autistic language in conversation. The current study examined language patterns in autistic (n = 20) and non-autistic (n = 17) youth aged 9–16 years during a conversation with a familiar versus unfamiliar adult. The study aimed to address gaps in the literature regarding autistic youth's language patterns, particularly in conversation, and the impact of speaking partners. Recordings of the conversation task were transcribed using SALT software conventions to yield measures of language production. Average length of communication units was higher among autistic compared to non-autistic youth, and among all youth when talking with familiar compared to unfamiliar partners. Youth speech also reflected greater linguistic diversity with familiar interlocutors, with no differences between autistic and non-autistic youth. Additionally, familiar interlocutors used more speech elicitation strategies (i.e., questions, prompts) than unfamiliar interlocutors across groups and interlocutors speaking with autistic youth used more speech elicitation strategies. These findings identify important similarities and differences between autistic and non-autistic youth and interlocutor speech that provide a better understanding of language patterns in autism. Importantly, this study can increase understanding and enhance support of autistic youth by highlighting that some aspects of autistic youth's language patterns in the context of conversation may be currently underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: "Look Who's Talking": Language Patterns in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth Across Different Conversation Partners.
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  Data: Autistic individuals have varying levels of verbal fluency which can impact social outcomes. Although 70–75% of autistic individuals have functional language, findings regarding language patterns (syntax and semantics) in autistic adolescents remain inconclusive. Additionally, previous studies of language complexity use narrative samples, which do not capture autistic language in conversation. The current study examined language patterns in autistic (n = 20) and non-autistic (n = 17) youth aged 9–16 years during a conversation with a familiar versus unfamiliar adult. The study aimed to address gaps in the literature regarding autistic youth's language patterns, particularly in conversation, and the impact of speaking partners. Recordings of the conversation task were transcribed using SALT software conventions to yield measures of language production. Average length of communication units was higher among autistic compared to non-autistic youth, and among all youth when talking with familiar compared to unfamiliar partners. Youth speech also reflected greater linguistic diversity with familiar interlocutors, with no differences between autistic and non-autistic youth. Additionally, familiar interlocutors used more speech elicitation strategies (i.e., questions, prompts) than unfamiliar interlocutors across groups and interlocutors speaking with autistic youth used more speech elicitation strategies. These findings identify important similarities and differences between autistic and non-autistic youth and interlocutor speech that provide a better understanding of language patterns in autism. Importantly, this study can increase understanding and enhance support of autistic youth by highlighting that some aspects of autistic youth's language patterns in the context of conversation may be currently underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=191290385
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        Value: 10.1007/s10803-024-06576-z
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 722
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Pearson correlation (Statistics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conversation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Questionnaires
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Speech evaluation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Analysis of variance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Asperger's syndrome
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Comparative studies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language acquisition
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      – SubjectFull: Adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Children
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: "Look Who's Talking": Language Patterns in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth Across Different Conversation Partners.
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            NameFull: Zampella, Casey J.
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              M: 02
              Text: Feb2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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