An Investigation of Narrative Ability in Boys with Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

作者：Hogan Brown Abigail L^*; Losh Molly; Martin Gary E; Mueffelmann Deborah J

来源：AJIDD-American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2013, 118(2): 77-94.

DOI：10.1352/1944-7558-118.2.77

• autism
• Fragile X syndrome
• narrative
• mental age
• FMR1
• Down syndrome

Whereas pragmatic language difficulties are characteristic of both autism and Fragile X syndrome, it is unclear whether such deficits are qualitatively similar or whether certain skills are differentially affected. This study compared narrative competence in boys with autism, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and typical development. Results revealed that an interaction between diagnosis and nonverbal mental age predicted narrative microstructure (e. g., complex syntax) but not macrostructure (e. g., thematic maintenance). Correlations with FMR1-related variation were investigated in children with Fragile X syndrome. While CGG repeat length was associated with many language characteristics, nonverbal IQ appeared to mediate these relationships. These findings are an important step toward understanding narrative abilities in boys with and without the FMR1 mutation.

• 出版日期2013-3
• 单位西北大学