Task-related differences in the gesture production of young autistic children

Background

In typically developing (TD) children, gesture emerges around 9 months of age, allowing children to communicate prior to speech. Due to the important role gesture plays in the early communication of autistic and TD children, various tasks have been used to assess gesture ability. However, few data exist on whether and how tasks differentially elicit gesture, particularly for samples of racially and ethnically diverse autistic children.

Aims

In this study, we explored if task (a naturalistic parent–child interaction [NPCI]; structured assessment of child communication) differentially elicited rate or type of gesture production for young autistic children.

Methods and procedures

This secondary analysis included baseline data from 80 racially and ethnically diverse autistic children aged 18–59 months who participated in one of two larger studies. Video recordings of NPCIs and an assessment of child communication with standardised administration procedures were collected at baseline. Child gesture rate (number of gestures produced per 10 min) and type were extracted from these recordings and analysed.

Outcomes and results

The structured assessment elicited more gestures than the NPCI. In terms of gesture type, points, gives, and reaches accounted for 76% of child gestures. Points (which are developmentally more advanced than reaches and gives) were produced at the highest rates within book exploration. Distal points (which are more developmentally advanced than proximal or contact points) were produced at the highest rates when children were tempted to request.

Conclusions and implications

Our findings indicate elicitation tasks differentially elicit type and rate of gesture for young autistic children. To assess the gesture production of young autistic children, a structured task designed to elicit child requests will probe the developmental sophistication of the child's gesture repertoire, eliciting both the most gestures and the most developmentally advanced gestures.

What this paper adds

What is already known on the subject

• Because of the importance of gesture in early communication for autistic and typically developing children, various tasks have been used to assess it. However, little is known about whether tasks differentially elicit type or rate of gesture for young autistic children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

• Elicitation tasks differentially elicit type and rate of gesture for young autistic children in the early stages of gesture.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

• We recommend a structured task designed to elicit child requests to assess the developmental sophistication of a child's gesture repertoire.