Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception / Alexandra STURROCK in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 7 (January-December 2022)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism & Developmental Language Impairments > 7 (January-December 2022) Titre : Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Hannah GUEST, Auteur ; Graham HANKS, Auteur ; George BENDO, Auteur ; Christopher J. PLACK, Auteur ; Emma GOWEN, Auteur Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum  autistic  speech perception  auditory processing disorder  hyperacusis Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background and aimsHumans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals? abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees? experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical ?overshadowing? of autistic voices.ResultsMost interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described.ConclusionsThe first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understanding of such listening difficulties ? by the self, by communication partners, by institutions, and especially by clinicians ? appears to be a crucial exacerbating factor. Many autistic adults have developed coping strategies to lessen speech-perception difficulties or mitigate their effects, and these are generally self-taught due to lack of clinical support.ImplicationsThere is a need for carefully designed, adequately powered confirmatory research to verify, quantify, and disentangle the various forms of listening difficulty, preferably using large samples to explore heterogeneity. More immediate benefit might be obtained through development of self-help and clinical guidance materials, and by raising awareness of autistic listening experiences and needs, among the autistic community, communication partners, institutions, and clinicians. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1177/23969415221077532 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=477 [article] Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Hannah GUEST, Auteur ; Graham HANKS, Auteur ; George BENDO, Auteur ; Christopher J. PLACK, Auteur ; Emma GOWEN, Auteur. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments > 7 (January-December 2022) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum  autistic  speech perception  auditory processing disorder  hyperacusis Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background and aimsHumans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals? abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees? experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical ?overshadowing? of autistic voices.ResultsMost interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described.ConclusionsThe first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understanding of such listening difficulties ? by the self, by communication partners, by institutions, and especially by clinicians ? appears to be a crucial exacerbating factor. Many autistic adults have developed coping strategies to lessen speech-perception difficulties or mitigate their effects, and these are generally self-taught due to lack of clinical support.ImplicationsThere is a need for carefully designed, adequately powered confirmatory research to verify, quantify, and disentangle the various forms of listening difficulty, preferably using large samples to explore heterogeneity. More immediate benefit might be obtained through development of self-help and clinical guidance materials, and by raising awareness of autistic listening experiences and needs, among the autistic community, communication partners, institutions, and clinicians. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1177/23969415221077532 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=477

"I?m not mad, bad, and dangerous ? simply wired differently": Exploring factors contributing to good quality of life with autistic women / Arianna PARICOS in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 112 (April 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 112 (April 2024) . - p.102338 Titre : "I?m not mad, bad, and dangerous ? simply wired differently": Exploring factors contributing to good quality of life with autistic women Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Arianna PARICOS, Auteur ; Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Katherine TWOMEY, Auteur ; Kathy LEADBITTER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.102338 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism  Quality of life  Qualitative  Women  Neurodiversity Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background There is increasing recognition of under-representation of autistic women in the academic literature and the impact of this on understanding, diagnosis, and support. Previous research has suggested that autistic women have poorer quality of life (QoL) than the general population. However, these findings have been established through use of QoL measures based on non-autistic norms and priorities. Methods This qualitative study used bottom-up, reflexive thematic analysis methods to explore how ten autistic women defined good QoL, and the factors identified as key to achieving this, using individual semi-structured interviews. Results Findings indicate four main themes that represent routes to good QoL: positive sense of self; feeling supported; autonomy; inclusion. Participants noted that being autistic itself was not a determinant of reduced QoL. Instead, participants' QoL was underpinned by the extent to which participants understood themselves, others understood and accommodated their needs, and the person-environment fit. Conclusions The findings of this study align with a positive approach to neurological difference and have implications for diagnosis, post-diagnostic support and applications of current QoL measures for autistic women. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102338 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=524 [article] "I?m not mad, bad, and dangerous ? simply wired differently": Exploring factors contributing to good quality of life with autistic women [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Arianna PARICOS, Auteur ; Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Katherine TWOMEY, Auteur ; Kathy LEADBITTER, Auteur . - p.102338. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 112 (April 2024) . - p.102338 Mots-clés : Autism  Quality of life  Qualitative  Women  Neurodiversity Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background There is increasing recognition of under-representation of autistic women in the academic literature and the impact of this on understanding, diagnosis, and support. Previous research has suggested that autistic women have poorer quality of life (QoL) than the general population. However, these findings have been established through use of QoL measures based on non-autistic norms and priorities. Methods This qualitative study used bottom-up, reflexive thematic analysis methods to explore how ten autistic women defined good QoL, and the factors identified as key to achieving this, using individual semi-structured interviews. Results Findings indicate four main themes that represent routes to good QoL: positive sense of self; feeling supported; autonomy; inclusion. Participants noted that being autistic itself was not a determinant of reduced QoL. Instead, participants' QoL was underpinned by the extent to which participants understood themselves, others understood and accommodated their needs, and the person-environment fit. Conclusions The findings of this study align with a positive approach to neurological difference and have implications for diagnosis, post-diagnostic support and applications of current QoL measures for autistic women. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102338 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=524

Observational and Reported Measures of Language and Pragmatics in Young People with Autism: A Comparison of Respondent Data and Gender Profiles / Alexandra STURROCK in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50-3 (March 2020)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders > 50-3 (March 2020) . - p.812-830 Titre : Observational and Reported Measures of Language and Pragmatics in Young People with Autism: A Comparison of Respondent Data and Gender Profiles Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Antonia MARSDEN, Auteur ; Catherine ADAMS, Auteur ; Jenny FREED, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.812-830 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Gender  Language and communication Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Female children with autism spectrum disorder (FwASD) and performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) over 70 were compared with male children with ASD (MwASD) and typically developing (TD) controls (age 8-11 years) using a range of language and pragmatic measures. Functional ability was assessed using clinical observations and parent, teacher and self-reports. Results were compared between measures, and with direct assessments of language and pragmatics, in order to identify potential biases. This study found that FwASD performed better than MwASD but worse than TD controls on clinical observations of pragmatic ability. FwASD also performed worst overall on a parental measure of emotions. Additionally, there were patterns of differences between clinician, parent, teacher and self- reports and direct assessments, which indicate the need for assessment data to be collected from multiple informants. Findings also have implications for the accurate identification of ASD in females and appropriate provision of support. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04288-3 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=419 [article] Observational and Reported Measures of Language and Pragmatics in Young People with Autism: A Comparison of Respondent Data and Gender Profiles [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Antonia MARSDEN, Auteur ; Catherine ADAMS, Auteur ; Jenny FREED, Auteur . - p.812-830. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders > 50-3 (March 2020) . - p.812-830 Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Gender  Language and communication Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Female children with autism spectrum disorder (FwASD) and performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) over 70 were compared with male children with ASD (MwASD) and typically developing (TD) controls (age 8-11 years) using a range of language and pragmatic measures. Functional ability was assessed using clinical observations and parent, teacher and self-reports. Results were compared between measures, and with direct assessments of language and pragmatics, in order to identify potential biases. This study found that FwASD performed better than MwASD but worse than TD controls on clinical observations of pragmatic ability. FwASD also performed worst overall on a parental measure of emotions. Additionally, there were patterns of differences between clinician, parent, teacher and self- reports and direct assessments, which indicate the need for assessment data to be collected from multiple informants. Findings also have implications for the accurate identification of ASD in females and appropriate provision of support. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04288-3 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=419

Speaking the Same Language? A Preliminary Investigation, Comparing the Language and Communication Skills of Females and Males with High-Functioning Autism / Alexandra STURROCK in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50-5 (May 2020)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders > 50-5 (May 2020) . - p.1639-1656 Titre : Speaking the Same Language? A Preliminary Investigation, Comparing the Language and Communication Skills of Females and Males with High-Functioning Autism Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Natalie YAU, Auteur ; Jenny FREED, Auteur ; Catherine ADAMS, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1639-1656 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism Spectrum Disorder  Gender  Language and communication Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Understanding the nature of language and communication disorders in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) populations may provide insight into why females are more likely than males to go undiagnosed. Language and communication skills were compared between 13 females and 13 males (aged 8.11-11.06) with HFASD. Gender-normative data was also ascertained from 26 typically developing children (TD) matched for age and gender. All children had typical range PIQ, slight variation here was controlled for in analysis. Results show females outperforming males in pragmatic and semantic tasks and in certain language-of-emotion tasks. TDs outperformed HFASDs in above-sentence level tasks, but not in basic vocabulary or sentence level tasks. This study highlights specific strengths/weaknesses in language and communication for female HFASD, which could aid more accurate identification of the female autistic phenotype. It indicates the need for larger follow up studies in this area. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03920-6 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=422 [article] Speaking the Same Language? A Preliminary Investigation, Comparing the Language and Communication Skills of Females and Males with High-Functioning Autism [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Natalie YAU, Auteur ; Jenny FREED, Auteur ; Catherine ADAMS, Auteur . - p.1639-1656. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders > 50-5 (May 2020) . - p.1639-1656 Mots-clés : Autism Spectrum Disorder  Gender  Language and communication Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Understanding the nature of language and communication disorders in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) populations may provide insight into why females are more likely than males to go undiagnosed. Language and communication skills were compared between 13 females and 13 males (aged 8.11-11.06) with HFASD. Gender-normative data was also ascertained from 26 typically developing children (TD) matched for age and gender. All children had typical range PIQ, slight variation here was controlled for in analysis. Results show females outperforming males in pragmatic and semantic tasks and in certain language-of-emotion tasks. TDs outperformed HFASDs in above-sentence level tasks, but not in basic vocabulary or sentence level tasks. This study highlights specific strengths/weaknesses in language and communication for female HFASD, which could aid more accurate identification of the female autistic phenotype. It indicates the need for larger follow up studies in this area. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03920-6 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=422

The diversity of speech-perception difficulties among autistic individuals / George J. BENDO in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 9 (January-December 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism & Developmental Language Impairments > 9 (January-December 2024) Titre : The diversity of speech-perception difficulties among autistic individuals Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : George J. BENDO, Auteur ; Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Graham HANKS, Auteur ; Christopher J. PLACK, Auteur ; Emma GOWEN, Auteur ; Hannah GUEST, Auteur Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  auditory processing  comprehension  hearing impairment  quality of life Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background & aims Communicative and sensory differences are core autistic traits, yet speech-perception abilities and difficulties among autistic individuals remain poorly understood. Laboratory studies have produced mixed and inconclusive results, in part because of the lack of input from autistic individuals in defining the hypotheses and shaping the methods used in this field of research. Little in-depth qualitative research on autistic experiences of speech perception has been published, yet such research could form the basis for better laboratory research, for improved understanding of autistic experiences, and for the development of interventions. Existing qualitative research describes widespread autistic listening differences with significant impacts, but these results rely on data gathered via oral interviews in a small sample. The present study addresses these limitations and employs a mixed-methods approach to explore autistic listening experiences. Methods We gathered survey data from 79 autistic individuals aged 18-55 without diagnosed hearing loss. The questionnaire included 20 closed-set questions on listening abilities and difficulties and three free-text questions on listening experiences. The free-text questions underwent deductive content analysis using a framework composed of themes from previous interview data on listening experiences (including auditory differences, contributing factors, impacts, and coping strategies). Concepts in the free-text data that were not part of the analysis framework were analyzed inductively. Results In the closed-set data, participants reported listening difficulties in most specified environments, but complex background sounds and particularly background voices caused the most difficulty. Those who reported listening difficulties expressed having substantially greater difficulties than other people the same age. Participants indicated multiple impacts from listening difficulties, most prominently in their social lives. Concepts in the free-text data strongly supported previous interview data on listening differences and factors that affect listening ability, especially the diversity of types of listening difficulties. Consistent with the closed-set data, background-sound complexity and concurrent voices were especially troubling. Some concepts in the free-text data were novel, particularly difficulties with remote, broadcast, and recorded audio, prompting the creation of new themes. Conclusions Both forms of data indicate widespread listening differences-predominantly listening difficulties-affecting most autistic adults. Diverse types of listening difficulty are evident, potentially indicating heterogeneous underlying mechanisms, and complexity of background noise is consistently identified as an important factor. Listening difficulties are said to have substantial and varied impacts. Autistic adults are keen to share coping strategies, which are varied and usually self-devised. Implications Based on both the quantitative and qualitative results, we provide recommendations to improve future research and support the autistic community. The data-revealing types of listening difficulties can guide better quantitative research into underlying mechanisms. Such research should take into account potential heterogeneity in listening difficulties. Suggestions for optimized collection of self-report data are also offered. Additionally, our results could be used to improve societal understanding of autistic listening differences and to create beneficial interventions for and with autistic individuals. Moreover, given the willingness of the autistic community to share coping strategies, systematic collation of these strategies could form the basis for self-help and clinical guidance. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23969415241227074 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=538 [article] The diversity of speech-perception difficulties among autistic individuals [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / George J. BENDO, Auteur ; Alexandra STURROCK, Auteur ; Graham HANKS, Auteur ; Christopher J. PLACK, Auteur ; Emma GOWEN, Auteur ; Hannah GUEST, Auteur. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments > 9 (January-December 2024) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  auditory processing  comprehension  hearing impairment  quality of life Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background & aims Communicative and sensory differences are core autistic traits, yet speech-perception abilities and difficulties among autistic individuals remain poorly understood. Laboratory studies have produced mixed and inconclusive results, in part because of the lack of input from autistic individuals in defining the hypotheses and shaping the methods used in this field of research. Little in-depth qualitative research on autistic experiences of speech perception has been published, yet such research could form the basis for better laboratory research, for improved understanding of autistic experiences, and for the development of interventions. Existing qualitative research describes widespread autistic listening differences with significant impacts, but these results rely on data gathered via oral interviews in a small sample. The present study addresses these limitations and employs a mixed-methods approach to explore autistic listening experiences. Methods We gathered survey data from 79 autistic individuals aged 18-55 without diagnosed hearing loss. The questionnaire included 20 closed-set questions on listening abilities and difficulties and three free-text questions on listening experiences. The free-text questions underwent deductive content analysis using a framework composed of themes from previous interview data on listening experiences (including auditory differences, contributing factors, impacts, and coping strategies). Concepts in the free-text data that were not part of the analysis framework were analyzed inductively. Results In the closed-set data, participants reported listening difficulties in most specified environments, but complex background sounds and particularly background voices caused the most difficulty. Those who reported listening difficulties expressed having substantially greater difficulties than other people the same age. Participants indicated multiple impacts from listening difficulties, most prominently in their social lives. Concepts in the free-text data strongly supported previous interview data on listening differences and factors that affect listening ability, especially the diversity of types of listening difficulties. Consistent with the closed-set data, background-sound complexity and concurrent voices were especially troubling. Some concepts in the free-text data were novel, particularly difficulties with remote, broadcast, and recorded audio, prompting the creation of new themes. Conclusions Both forms of data indicate widespread listening differences-predominantly listening difficulties-affecting most autistic adults. Diverse types of listening difficulty are evident, potentially indicating heterogeneous underlying mechanisms, and complexity of background noise is consistently identified as an important factor. Listening difficulties are said to have substantial and varied impacts. Autistic adults are keen to share coping strategies, which are varied and usually self-devised. Implications Based on both the quantitative and qualitative results, we provide recommendations to improve future research and support the autistic community. The data-revealing types of listening difficulties can guide better quantitative research into underlying mechanisms. Such research should take into account potential heterogeneity in listening difficulties. Suggestions for optimized collection of self-report data are also offered. Additionally, our results could be used to improve societal understanding of autistic listening differences and to create beneficial interventions for and with autistic individuals. Moreover, given the willingness of the autistic community to share coping strategies, systematic collation of these strategies could form the basis for self-help and clinical guidance. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23969415241227074 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=538

---

1 (1 - 5 / 5)