Are children with Autism Spectrum Disorder initially attuned to object function rather than shape for word learning?

Field, Charlotte and Allen, Melissa Lynn and Lewis, Charles Neville (2016) Are children with Autism Spectrum Disorder initially attuned to object function rather than shape for word learning? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46 (4). pp. 1210-1219. ISSN 0162-3257

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Abstract

We investigate the function bias—generalising words to objects with the same function—in typically developing (TD) children, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with other developmental disorders. Across four trials, a novel object was named and its function was described and demonstrated. Children then selected the other referent from a shape match (same shape, different function) and function match (same function, different shape) object. TD children and children with ASD were ‘function biased’, although further investigation established that having a higher VMA facilitated function bias understanding in TD children, but having a lower VMA facilitated function bias understanding in children with ASD. This suggests that children with ASD are initially attuned to object function, not shape.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Additional Information:
The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2657-5
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3204
Subjects:
?? autism spectrum disorderdevelopmental disorderfunction biasshape biasword learningdevelopmental and educational psychology ??
ID Code:
76882
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 Dec 2015 11:44
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
05 Jan 2024 00:17