A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions
BackgroundPragmatic language, or the use of language in social contexts, is a critical skill in daily life, supporting social interactions and the development of meaningful social relationships. Pragmatic language is universally impacted in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pragmatic deficits are a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1155691/full |
| _version_ | 1827895952626679808 |
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| author | Gary E. Martin Michelle Lee Michelle Lee Klinton Bicknell Klinton Bicknell Adam Goodkind Adam Goodkind Nell Maltman Nell Maltman Molly Losh |
| author_facet | Gary E. Martin Michelle Lee Michelle Lee Klinton Bicknell Klinton Bicknell Adam Goodkind Adam Goodkind Nell Maltman Nell Maltman Molly Losh |
| author_sort | Gary E. Martin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundPragmatic language, or the use of language in social contexts, is a critical skill in daily life, supporting social interactions and the development of meaningful social relationships. Pragmatic language is universally impacted in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pragmatic deficits are also common in other neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly those related to ASD, such as fragile X syndrome (FXS). This study used a multi-method, longitudinal approach to characterize potentially unique pragmatic profiles across different neurodevelopmental disabilities, and across contexts that varied in degree of social demand. The utility of computational linguistic analyses, as an efficient tool for capturing pragmatic abilities, was also explored.MethodsPragmatic skills of boys with idiopathic ASD (ASD-O, n = 43), FXS with and without ASD (FXS-ASD, n = 57; FXS-O, n = 14), Down syndrome (DS, n = 22), and typical development (TD, n = 24) were compared using variables obtained from a standardized measure, narrative, and semi-naturalistic conversation at up to three time points.ResultsPragmatic language was most significantly impacted among males with ASD-O and FXS-ASD across all three contexts, with more difficulties in the least structured context (conversation), and also some differences based on FXS comorbidity. Patterns of group differences were more nuanced for boys with FXS-O and DS, with context having less of an impact. Clinical groups demonstrated minimal changes in pragmatic skills with age, with some exceptions. Computational language measurement tools showed some utility for measuring pragmatic skills, but were not as successful as traditional methods at capturing differences between clinical groups.ConclusionOverlap and differences between ASD and other forms of neurodevelopmental disability in general, and between idiopathic and syndromic ASD in particular, have important implications for developing precisely tailored assessment and intervention approaches, consistent with a personalized medicine approach to clinical study and care in ASD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:29:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be1c79cba38d414fb51a69974507b428 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:29:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-be1c79cba38d414fb51a69974507b4282023-07-21T20:08:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952023-07-011410.3389/fneur.2023.11556911155691A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditionsGary E. Martin0Michelle Lee1Michelle Lee2Klinton Bicknell3Klinton Bicknell4Adam Goodkind5Adam Goodkind6Nell Maltman7Nell Maltman8Molly Losh9Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Staten Island, NY, United StatesRoxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Study Center, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Linguistics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesDuolingo, Pittsburgh, PA, United StatesDepartment of Linguistics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesDepartment of Communication Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesRoxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesWaisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United StatesRoxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United StatesBackgroundPragmatic language, or the use of language in social contexts, is a critical skill in daily life, supporting social interactions and the development of meaningful social relationships. Pragmatic language is universally impacted in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pragmatic deficits are also common in other neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly those related to ASD, such as fragile X syndrome (FXS). This study used a multi-method, longitudinal approach to characterize potentially unique pragmatic profiles across different neurodevelopmental disabilities, and across contexts that varied in degree of social demand. The utility of computational linguistic analyses, as an efficient tool for capturing pragmatic abilities, was also explored.MethodsPragmatic skills of boys with idiopathic ASD (ASD-O, n = 43), FXS with and without ASD (FXS-ASD, n = 57; FXS-O, n = 14), Down syndrome (DS, n = 22), and typical development (TD, n = 24) were compared using variables obtained from a standardized measure, narrative, and semi-naturalistic conversation at up to three time points.ResultsPragmatic language was most significantly impacted among males with ASD-O and FXS-ASD across all three contexts, with more difficulties in the least structured context (conversation), and also some differences based on FXS comorbidity. Patterns of group differences were more nuanced for boys with FXS-O and DS, with context having less of an impact. Clinical groups demonstrated minimal changes in pragmatic skills with age, with some exceptions. Computational language measurement tools showed some utility for measuring pragmatic skills, but were not as successful as traditional methods at capturing differences between clinical groups.ConclusionOverlap and differences between ASD and other forms of neurodevelopmental disability in general, and between idiopathic and syndromic ASD in particular, have important implications for developing precisely tailored assessment and intervention approaches, consistent with a personalized medicine approach to clinical study and care in ASD.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1155691/fullpragmatic languagesocial communicationautism spectrum disorderfragile X syndromeDown syndromelongitudinal |
| spellingShingle | Gary E. Martin Michelle Lee Michelle Lee Klinton Bicknell Klinton Bicknell Adam Goodkind Adam Goodkind Nell Maltman Nell Maltman Molly Losh A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions Frontiers in Neurology pragmatic language social communication autism spectrum disorder fragile X syndrome Down syndrome longitudinal |
| title | A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| title_full | A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| title_fullStr | A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| title_short | A longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| title_sort | longitudinal investigation of pragmatic language across contexts in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions |
| topic | pragmatic language social communication autism spectrum disorder fragile X syndrome Down syndrome longitudinal |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1155691/full |
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