Associations between rapid auditory processing of speech sounds and specific verbal communication skills in autism

Introduction The ability to rapidly process speech sounds is integral not only for processing other’s speech, but also auditory of one’s own which allows maintenance accuracy. Deficits in rapid have been demonstrated autistic individuals, particularly those with language impairment. We examined relation performance on a battery verbal communication measures determine aspects were associated cortical sample individuals autism. Methods Participants 57 children and adolescents (40 male 17 female) ages 5–18 who diagnosed an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rapid was measured via magnetoencephalographic (MEG) index the quality evoked response second two differing (“Ga” / “Da”) presented succession. Verbal abilities assessed standardized clinical overall expressive receptive language, vocabulary, articulation, phonological processing. Associations between left- right-hemisphere examined. Results significantly articulation bilaterally ( r = 0.463, p 0.001 left hemisphere 0.328, 0.020 right hemisphere). In addition, 0.354, 0.013); 0.384, 0.005) vocabulary; memory 0.325, 0.024). Phonological found mediate relationship language. Discussion These results demonstrate that impaired dysfunction ASD. data indicate intact may be necessary even basic skills support production, such as articulatory control.