Language functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: to map and synthesize scientific evidence on language functioning in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder. Methods: this scoping review aimed at mapping and synthesizing scientific evidence on language functioning in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A research question, article selection, and compilation of results were used as research strategies. The selection criteria were studies with samples of children and adolescents, addressing Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech-language-hearing therapy, communication, language, and functioning. After independent evaluators read the titles, keywords, abstracts, and full texts, they recorded the following data for the review: year of publication, type of study, country of origin, sample size, age of participants, instruments used, language subsystems assessed, and results. Literature review: the search found 1,056 articles, of which 536 were read in full, and 16 were included. There was great variability in assessment instruments and few studies involving adolescents. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder had changes in language functioning related to pragmatics, morphosyntax, semantics, and phonology. Conclusion: the preliminary evidence map indicates that children and adolescents with ASD have a variety of language changes.