Comparing early language development in monolingual- and bilingual- exposed young children with autism spectrum disorders

The purpose of this study was to compare a group of recently diagnosed bilingual-exposed children with autism (n = 20) aged 24–52 months with a matched group of monolingual-exposed children with autism (n = 40). The groups were matched with regard to chronological age at the time of language assessment and nonverbal IQ score, then compared with regard to the severity of children's autism-related communication impairment, age of first words, age of first phrases, receptive language scores, expressive language scores, and functional communication scores. Univariate ANOVAs were performed for autism-related communication impairment, age of first words, and age of first phrases. A MANCOVA, with the total number of speech-language and applied behavior analysis intervention hours entered as a covariate, was performed on the remaining dependent variables. No statistically significant differences between the two groups on any of the language measures were observed. The results suggest that a bilingual language environment does not disadvantage young children with autism in the early stages of language development. Study limitations and research and clinical implications are discussed.

► We compared newly diagnosed children with autism in bilingual and monolingual homes. ► Children were matched by chronological age and nonverbal IQ. ► We controlled for hours of language intervention prior to assessment. ► We used standardized measures of receptive and expressive language. ► We found no differences between the two groups on any language measure.