Research FocusMy research focuses on early intervention for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. More specifically, what underlies their special skills and how can we best use these strengths to support their areas of challenge. Children with autism spectrum disorder have remarkable talents, but they also demonstrate significant challenges. I’m interested in better understanding their special talents to understand how they learn best. In this way, we can successfully design interventions that support their learning.
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Do children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Hyperlexia Learn to read in the same way as typically developing children? |
Early word reading and preschoolers with ASD, both with and without hyperlexia, compared to typically developing preschoolers
A portion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit a strength in early word reading referred to as hyperlexia (HPL), yet it remains unclear what mechanisms underlie this strength. Typically developing children (TD) acquire phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge and language skills as precursors to word reading. We compared these skills across English-speaking preschoolers with ASD, both with and without hyperlexia, and TD preschoolers. Findings indicated that the group with both ASD and HPL (ASD+HPL) exhibited advanced word reading and letter naming skills as compared to the other two groups, but did not demonstrate commensurate phonological awareness, letter-sound correspondence, or language skills. Findings support an alternative, non-phonological approach to early word reading in preschoolers with ASD and hyperlexia. Macdonald, D., Luk, G., & Quintin, E.M. (2020). Early word reading and preschoolers with ASD, both with and without hyperlexia, compared to typically developing preschoolers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04628-8 Read this article here https://rdcu.be/b6dyp |
How can children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Hyperlexia improve their reading comprehension? |
Early reading comprehension intervention for preschoolers with ASD and hyperlexia Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and hyperlexia (HPL) have both advanced word reading skills and a reading comprehension disorder, alongside impaired oral language. We developed a unique, parent-supported, tablet-based intervention aiming to improve oral and reading comprehension at the word-, phrase- and sentence-level, for preschoolers with ASD and hyperlexia (ASD+HPL). English-speaking preschoolers (N=30) with ASD+HPL (N=8); ASD without HPL (N=7) and typical development (N=15) underwent a 6-week no-intervention period followed by a 6-week intervention period. Findings revealed a significant increase in reading comprehension scores for the group with ASD+HPL as compared to the TD group (p=.023). Gains were also found for receptive but not expressive language for all groups. Implications for early intervention for preschoolers with ASD+HPL are discussed. Macdonald, D., Luk, G., & Quintin, E.M. (2021). Early reading comprehension intervention for preschoolers with ASD and hyperlexia. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05057-x Read this article here https://rdcu.be/clsVr |