ERIC Number: EJ1436613
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Aug
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1092-4388
EISSN: EISSN-1558-9102
Available Date: N/A
The Development of Gesture Skills in Chinese Autistic Children: The Predictive Roles of Age and Language Ability
Xin Zhang; Xue-Ke Song; Wing-Chee So
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v67 n8 p2583-2599 2024
Purpose: Gesture delay in autistic infants and toddlers has been widely reported. The developmental trajectory of gesture production during early childhood is understudied. Thus, little is known about the possible changes of gesture production over time. The present study aimed to document the development of gesture production in autistic children and examine whether child-based factors (chronological age and initial language skills) predicted gesture development. Method: A total of 33 Chinese-speaking autistic children (M[subscript age] = 56.39 months, SD = 8.54 months) played with their parents at four time points over a 9-month period. Their speech was transcribed, and their gestures were coded from parent-child interaction. Multilevel modeling analysis was used to investigate the development of gesture and its associated factors. Results: The total number of gestures produced by autistic children decreased over time. Among different factors, children's initial age significantly and negatively predicted children's gesture production, while initial language positively predicted children's gesture production. Conclusions: Gesture delay persists in preschool age. The decline in gesture production was associated with children's age and initial language ability. These findings shed light on the difficulties surrounding gesture use in autistic children.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nonverbal Communication, Age Differences, Language Skills, Predictor Variables, Chinese, Child Development, Young Children
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; Mullen Scales of Early Learning; Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A