Differences in assertive speech acts produced by children with autism, Asperger syndrome, specific language impairment, and normal development

• DOI: 10.1017/s0954579403000051
• Publication Date: 2003-06-13T13:33:20Z
• Authors: KATHRYN ZIATAS; KEVIN DURKIN; CHRIS PRATT
• Keywords: Asperger syndrome; Mind-blindness; Specific Language Impairment

The assertive speech acts of children with autism (n = 12) and Asperger syndrome 12), individually matched to specific language impairment (SLI; n 24) normal development were studied in the context gently structured conversation. These also completed false belief test theory mind. used significantly lower proportions assertions involving explanations descriptions than SLI or internal state syndrome. a higher proportion identifications any other group. generally not different those except for own state. Further analysis mental revealed that predominantly referred desire made few references thought belief, whereas belief.