scholarly journals Metaphor Comprehension in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Core Language Skills Matter

Author(s):  
Tamara Kalandadze ◽  
Johan Braeken ◽  
Cecilia Brynskov ◽  
Kari-Anne Bottegaard Næss

AbstractPoor metaphor comprehension was considered a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but recent research has questioned the extent and the sources of these difficulties. In this cross-sectional study, we compared metaphor comprehension in individuals with ASD (N = 29) and individuals with typical development (TD; N = 31), and investigated the relationship between core language and metaphor comprehension. Individuals with ASD showed more difficulty but also a more variable performance in both metaphor and literal items of the task used than individuals with TD did. This indicates that core language ability accounts for metaphor comprehension and should be considered in future research and interventions aiming to improve metaphor comprehension in individuals with ASD.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1421-1454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamar Kalandadze ◽  
Valentina Bambini ◽  
Kari-Anne B. Næss

AbstractIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience difficulty in comprehending metaphors compared to individuals with typical development (TD). However, there is a large variation in the results across studies, possibly related to the properties of the metaphor tasks. This preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis (a) explored the properties of the metaphor tasks used in ASD research, and (b) investigated the group difference between individuals with ASD and TD on metaphor comprehension, as well as the relationship between the task properties and any between-study variation. A systematic search was undertaken in seven relevant databases. Fourteen studies fulfilled our predetermined inclusion criteria. Across tasks, we detected four types of response format and a great variety of metaphors in terms of familiarity, syntactic structure, and linguistic context. Individuals with TD outperformed individuals with ASD on metaphor comprehension (Hedges’ g = −0.63). Verbal explanation response format was utilized in the study showing the largest effect size in the group comparison. However, due to the sparse experimental manipulations, the role of task properties could not be established. Future studies should consider and report task properties to determine their role in metaphor comprehension, and to inform experimental paradigms as well as educational assessment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339362090758
Author(s):  
David B. Nicholas ◽  
Radha MacCulloch ◽  
Wendy Roberts ◽  
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ◽  
Patricia McKeever

This study explored the experiences of mothers caring for an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ranging from 5 to 25 years of age, and examined pervasive tensions in caregiving. Guided by ethnographic methods, a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Interviews with 85 mothers were analyzed inductively. Prevalent tensions in maternal caregiving were identified: (a) difficulties obtaining, yet resistance to, an ASD diagnosis; (b) identified giftedness of the child versus notions of deficit imposed by others; (c) disability-related behaviors erroneously interpreted as ‘poor parenting’; (d) contradictory considerations in diagnosis disclosure; (e) the invisibility yet pervasiveness of ASD; (f) extensive need for, yet the lack of, accessible services; (g) ASD-related care demands versus other pressing responsibilities; (h) arguments for inclusive versus exclusive services; and (i) aims of nurturing independence versus managing safety risk. Tensions were heightened by insufficient supports relative to need. Implications and recommendations for practice and policy are offered.


BMJ Open ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. e004786-e004786 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Burgoyne ◽  
L. Dowling ◽  
A. Fitzgerald ◽  
M. Connolly ◽  
J. P Browne ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Usman Baig ◽  
Syed Muslim Mehdi ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Imtiaz Afzal ◽  
Admin

Abstract Objective: To assess the frequency of insomnia and other sleep disturbances among children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Sleep disturbance scale for children was used in this descriptive cross-sectional study and the parents were asked to fill out the questionnaire along with the consent form. Initial sample size was 97, out of which 93 were included in study. The research was approved by institutional ethics committee of Sharif medical and Dental College. Results: This study showed that 37 (39.8%) children had at least one type of the sleeping disorder. Most common type were insomnia 24 (25.8%) and sleep-awake transition disorders 15 (16.1%), less common were disorders of arousal 10 (10.8%), disorders of excessive somnolence 7 (7.5%), sleep hyperhidrosis 5 (5.4%) and sleep breathing disorders 4 (4.3%). Conclusion: Nearly forty percent of children with autism spectrum disorder suffer from sleep disorders, among which the most frequent was insomnia. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, sleep disorders, children


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