ASD ASD Communication and Language Development 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which communication characteristic is commonly observed in some individuals with ASD and involves repeating words or phrases heard previously?
- Mutism
- Echolalia (Correct answer)
- Hyperlexia
- Perseveration
Correct answer: Echolalia
Echolalia—immediate or delayed repetition of others' speech—is a common communication feature in ASD and can serve communicative functions.
Question 2: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for non-speaking individuals with ASD are MOST beneficial when:
- Used only after the child has failed all speech therapy interventions
- Introduced early and paired with spoken language to support communication development (Correct answer)
- Reserved for adults who have never spoken
- Used to replace all speech therapy services
Correct answer: Introduced early and paired with spoken language to support communication development
Research shows early AAC introduction does not hinder speech development and often supports it while providing immediate functional communication.
Question 3: Joint attention, a foundational skill for language development, refers to the ability to:
- Focus on a task independently for extended periods
- Coordinate attention with another person toward a shared object or event (Correct answer)
- Attend to verbal instructions given in a group setting
- Maintain eye contact during conversation for more than 5 seconds
Correct answer: Coordinate attention with another person toward a shared object or event
Joint attention involves triadic interaction where the child, caregiver, and an object are all involved, laying the groundwork for language acquisition.
Question 4: Hyperlexia in ASD is BEST described as:
- An inability to read at age-appropriate level
- Advanced word decoding with limited reading comprehension (Correct answer)
- Difficulty reading aloud in front of others
- A reading disability requiring special education placement
Correct answer: Advanced word decoding with limited reading comprehension
Hyperlexia involves precocious ability to decode written words, often by age 2–3, but with significantly weaker language comprehension.
Question 5: Pragmatic language deficits in ASD typically include difficulty with which of the following?
- Articulation of individual speech sounds
- Turn-taking in conversation and understanding implied meanings (Correct answer)
- Reading fluency and phonics
- Vocabulary size and word retrieval
Correct answer: Turn-taking in conversation and understanding implied meanings
Pragmatics covers the social use of language, including turn-taking, topic maintenance, and interpreting non-literal language, all commonly impaired in ASD.
Question 6: Which milestones signal a potential concern for ASD under the US CDC 'Learn the Signs. Act Early.' campaign at 16 months?
- No walking or standing with support
- No single words spoken (Correct answer)
- No pointing or waving
- No response to own name
Correct answer: No single words spoken
The CDC milestone of no single words by 16 months is a red flag warranting immediate evaluation for ASD and other developmental delays.
ASD ASD Communication and Language Development 1
Which communication characteristic is commonly observed in some individuals with ASD and involves repeating words or phrases heard previously?