Date of Award
Fall 12-13-2019
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
English, Linguistics, and Communication
Department Chair or Program Director
Richards, Gary
First Advisor
Lee, Janie
Major or Concentration
Linguistics
Abstract
This study uses a one-subject, in-depth analysis model to investigate how a 13-year-old child with autism communicates, using the analytical lens of discourse analysis. Using data from five 20-40 minute-long recordings of natural speech, the research subject's use of language in unique or unexpected ways came to be understood as a systematic, consistent, and rich idiolect. These findings challenge pervasive prejudices about individuals with autism and indicate that the most interesting aspects of autistic speech are overlooked by neurotypical listeners. They also demonstrate the importance of discourse analysis as a method for studying autism and language.
Recommended Citation
Riris, Eleni, "Interpreting the Speech of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Discourse Analysis: A Qualitative Study of an ASD Idiolect" (2019). Student Research Submissions. 355.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/355