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Verbal Problem‐Solving Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Atypical Language Development
Author(s) -
AldersonDay Ben
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
autism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.656
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1939-3806
pISSN - 1939-3792
DOI - 10.1002/aur.1424
Subject(s) - autism , psychology , developmental psychology , autism spectrum disorder , cognitive psychology
Children with autism spectrum disorders ( ASD s) adopt less efficient strategies than typically developing ( TD ) peers on the T wenty Q uestions T ask ( TQT ), a measure of verbal problem‐solving skills. Although problems with the TQT are typically associated with executive dysfunction, they have also been reported in children who are deaf, suggesting a role for atypical language development. To test the contribution of language history to ASD problem solving, TQT performance was compared in children with high‐functioning autism ( HFA ), children with A sperger syndrome ( AS ) and TD children. The HFA group used significantly less efficient strategies than both AS and TD children. No group differences were evident on tests of question understanding, planning or verbal fluency. Potential explanations for differences in verbal problem‐solving skill are discussed with reference to the development of inner speech and use of visual strategies in ASD . Autism Res 2014, 7: 720–730. © 2014 The Authors. Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research