Abstract
There is debate regarding the relationship between autism and specific language impairment (SLI), with some researchers proposing
aetiological overlap between the conditions and others maintaining their aetiological distinction. Although considerable research
has investigated the language phenotypes of these disorders, the relationship between the cognitive phenotypes has been left
relatively unexplored. This paper reviews relevant literature on whether individuals with SLI exhibit cognitive characteristics
reminiscent of autism. Overall, findings are inconsistent and there is a lack of substantive evidence supporting overlapping
cognitive phenotypes in autism and SLI. Better powered and more rigorous experimental designs, as well as studies directly
comparing the cognitive phenotype of children with SLI and those with autism will further elucidate the aetiological relationship
between these two conditions.
aetiological overlap between the conditions and others maintaining their aetiological distinction. Although considerable research
has investigated the language phenotypes of these disorders, the relationship between the cognitive phenotypes has been left
relatively unexplored. This paper reviews relevant literature on whether individuals with SLI exhibit cognitive characteristics
reminiscent of autism. Overall, findings are inconsistent and there is a lack of substantive evidence supporting overlapping
cognitive phenotypes in autism and SLI. Better powered and more rigorous experimental designs, as well as studies directly
comparing the cognitive phenotype of children with SLI and those with autism will further elucidate the aetiological relationship
between these two conditions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original paper
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1456-5
- Authors
- Lauren J. Taylor, Neurocognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, M304, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Murray T. Maybery, Neurocognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, M304, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, Neurocognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, M304, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257