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Article published In:
Autism, Language, Communication and Cognition
Edited by Stephanie Durrleman
[Evolutionary Linguistic Theory 4:1] 2022
► pp. 102–128

Social and sensory influences on linguistic alignment

Phonetic convergence in autism spectrum disorder

ORCID logo | University of Connecticut
ORCID logo | University of Connecticut
ORCID logo | University of Connecticut
ORCID logo | University of Connecticut
| University of Connecticut
| University of Connecticut
ORCID logo | University of Connecticut
Previous research has demonstrated that speakers adapt individual characteristics of speech production to the social context, for example via phonetic convergence. Studies have measured the impact of social dynamics on convergence in typical speakers, but the impact of individual differences is less well-explored. The present study measures phonetic convergence before and after a cooperative interaction with an undergraduate student by comparing teens with a history of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and with typical development. Results revealed a small temporal convergence effect for typically developing dyads; in contrast, dyads including autistic teens showed no convergence. Furthermore, the degree of convergence was negatively related to severity of ASD symptomatology and atypical sensory profiles. While social and sensory processing abilities may play a role in phonetic convergence, high covariance between these measures makes it difficult to differentiate their contributions in isolation.
Keywords: phonetic convergence, communication accommodation theory, sensory sensitivities, Edinburgh maps task
Article outline
  • Methods
    • Participants
    • Procedures
    • Maps task
    • Short Sensory Profile (McIntosh, Miller, Shyu, & Dunn, 1999)
  • Data analysis
  • Results
    • Segmental analyses
    • Prosodic convergence
    • Convergence and ASD symptoms
  • Discussion
    • Limitations
    • Future directions
    • Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 29 September 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/elt.00039.hog
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