Obilježja ranog rječničkog razvoja u djece s poremećajem iz spektra autizma
Characteristics of vocabulary development in children with autism spectrum disorder

Summary/Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily characterised by deficits in social interaction and communication. Based on some theoretical approaches, these deficits provide an unstable foundation for language acquisition. In the earliest stages of language development, this may be reflected in the vocabulary development of children with ASD. Possible deviations in vocabulary development have been investigated at the level of rate of word acquisition and vocabulary composition. Although studies have confirmed that there is significant variability in the language abilities of children with ASD, in many cases, these children experience a delay in the production of first words and acquire words at a slower rate. As a result, the size of their vocabulary is often smaller than expected based on their chronological age. A small body of research points to possible deviations in vocabulary development (i.e., developmental trajectories of specific word classes). Vocabulary composition differs to some extent in typologically different languages, suggesting that vocabulary development in children with ASD needs to be studied in different languages. For Croatian, there is currently no information on the vocabulary development of children with this disorder. Based on a review of literature, this paper highlights important methodological implications for further research on vocabulary development, as well as clinical implications for speech therapy interventions aimed at supporting language development in children with ASD.

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