Pragmatic language and school related linguistic abilities in siblings of children with autism

Noa Ben-Yizhak, Nurit Yirmiya*, Ifat Seidman, Raaya Alon, Catherine Lord, Marian Sigman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Siblings of probands with autism spectrum disorders are at higher risk for developing the broad autism phenotype (BAP). We compared the linguistic abilities (i.e., pragmatic language, school achievements, and underling reading processes) of 35 school-age siblings of children with autism (SIBS-A) to those of 42 siblings of children with typical development. Results indicated lower pragmatic abilities in a subgroup of SIBS-A identified with BAP related difficulties (SIBS-A-BAP) whereas school achievements and reading processes were intact. Furthermore, among SIBS-A-BAP, significant negative correlations emerged between the severity scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and full and verbal IQ scores. These results are discussed in the context of the developmental trajectories of SIBS-A and in relation to the BAP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)750-760
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume41
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011

Keywords

  • Autism
  • Broad autism phenotype
  • Language
  • Learning difficulties
  • Pragmatics
  • Siblings

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pragmatic language and school related linguistic abilities in siblings of children with autism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this