What Characterises the Communication of Three-Year-Olds with Suspected Autism?

Background and Aims The current study aimed to examine the communicative level of 3-year-old children with suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a population-representative sample focusing on communication initiation, communication modes and communication functions. Potential differences in communication between children who later met diagnostic criteria for ASD and those who did not, and possible differences between girls and boys were analysed. Methods Video recordings from a standardised play observation of 75 children (14 girls, 61 boys, M age = 3.2), of whom 59 were diagnosed with ASD and 16 did not receive such a diagnosis, were analysed using the Modified – Classroom Observation Schedule to Measure Intentional Communication . Results The whole group of children ( n = 75) were more likely to respond to others than to take their own communicative initiatives. The most frequent communicative functions were confirming and requesting, often expressed through vocalisations or actions. No significant differences between girls and boys could be detected. Children without ASD ( n = 16, all boys) gave more responses, used more verbal communication forms and more frequently established joint attention and dyadic social interaction than children with ASD ( n = 59). Conclusions Reduced use of conventional spoken and gestural forms, as well as lower rates of contingent responding, distinguished children who later received an ASD diagnosis. Although results need to be interpreted cautiously, findings indicate that gender-related communicative differences associated with ASD may not be apparent in very early childhood. Implications This study contributes to understanding communication in suspected ASD. Future studies should examine longitudinal trajectories of communication functions, forms and initiative/response in children with ASD.