Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sign Language and Motor Functioning in Students with Autistic Disorder

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sign language production of 14 low-functioning students diagnosed with autistic disorder was examined. Videotapes of the students signing with their teachers were analyzed for frequency and accuracy of sign location, handshape, and movement production. The location aspect of signs was produced more accurately by the subjects than either the handshape or movement aspects. Wide individual differences were evident among the students in the number of signs they produced, accuracy of sign formation, and performance on measures of motor functioning. Students' sign vocabulary size and accuracy of sign formation were highly correlated with their performance on two measures of apraxia and with their fine motor age scores.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Biklen, D. (1990). Communication unbound: Autism and praxis. Harvard Educational Review, 60(3), 291–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonvillian, J. D., & Blackburn, D. W. (1991). Manual communication and factors relating to sign language acquisition. In P. Siple & S. Fischer (Eds.), Theoretical issues in sign language research: Vol 2, Psychology (pp. 255–277). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonvillian, J. D., & Nelson, K. (1976). Sign language acquisition in a mute autistic boy. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 41, 339–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonvillian, J. D., Nelson, K., & Rhyne, J. (1981). Sign language and autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11, 125–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bram, S., Meier, M., & Sutherland, P. J. (1977). A relationship between motor control and language development in autistic child. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 7, 57–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, E. G. (1979). Teaching autistic children to use sign language: Some research issues. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 345–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, E. G., Binkoff, J., Kologinsky, E., & Eddy, M. (1978). Acquisition of language by autistic children: I. Expressive labeling. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 489–501.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, E. G., & Kologinsky, E. (1983). Acquisition of sign language by autistic children: II. Spontaneity and generalization effects. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 16, 297–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. (1981). Development of language behavior in an autistic child using total communication. Exceptional Children, 47, 379–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulter, G. R., & Anderson, S. R. (1993). Introduction. In G. R. Coulter (Ed), Phonetics and phonology: Vol. 3. Current issues in ASL phonology (pp. 1–17). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Culp, D. (1989). Developmental apraxia and augmentative or alternative communication: A case example. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 5, 27–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damasio, A. R., & Maurer, R. G. (1978). A neurological model for childhood autism. Archives of Neurology, 35, 777–786.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMyer, M. K., Barton, S., Alpern, G. D., Kimberlin, C., Allen, J., Yang, E., & Steele, R. (1974). The measured intelligence of autistic children. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 4, 42–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, D., & Kaplan, B. J. (1992). Analysis of praxis task demands in the assessment of children with developmental motor deficits. Developmental Neuropsychology, 8, 367–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, L. (1956). The autistic child in adolescence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 112, 607–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaines, R., Leaper, C., Monahan, C., & Weickgenant, A. (1988). Language and retention in young language-disordered children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 281–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodglass, H., & Kaplan, E. (1983). The assessment of aphasia and related disorders (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, C. (1987). An approach to the treatment of mild to moderately severe apraxia. Topics in Language Disorders, 8, 34–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, D. (1986). Neuropsychology test procedures (rev.). London, dk Consultants.

  • Kimura, D. (1993). Neuromotor mechanisms in human communication. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, D., & Archibald, Y. (1974). Motor functions of the left hemisphere. Brain, 97, 337–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konstantareas, M. M. (1985). Review of evidence on the relevance of sign language in the early communication training of autistic children. Australian Journal of Human Communication Disorders, 13, 77–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konstantareas, M. M., Oxman, J., & Webster, C. (1977). Simultaneous communication with autistic and other severely dysfunctional nonverbal children. Journal of Communication Disorders, 10, 267–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konstantareas, M. M., Webster, C. D., & Oxman, J. (1979). Manual language acquisition and its influence on other areas of functioning in autistic and autistic-like children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 20, 337–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratochwill, T. R., & Wetzel, R. J. (1977). Observer agreement, credibility, judgment: Some considerations in presenting observer agreement data. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 133–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton, T. L. (1987). Manual communication. In T. L. Layton (Ed.), Language treatment of autistic and developmentally disordered children (pp. 189–213). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liddell, S. K., & Johnson, R. E. (1989). American Sign Language: The phonological base. Sign Language Studies, 64, 195–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lotter, V. (1974). Factors related to outcome in autistic children. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 4, 263–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • McEvoy, R. E., Rogers, S. T., & Pennington, B. F. (1993). Executive function and social communication deficits in young autistic children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 34, 563–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirenda, P., & Mathy-Laiko, P. (1989). Augmentative and alternative communication applications for persons with severe congenital communication disorders: An introduction. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 5, 3–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poizner, H., Klima, E. S., & Bellugi, U. (1987). What the hands reveal about the brain. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J., & McEvoy, R. E. (1993, March). Praxis in high-functioning persons with autism. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, New Orleans, LA.

  • Roy, E. A., Brown, L., & Hardie, M. (1993). Movement variability in limb gesturing: Implications for understanding apraxia. In K. M. Newell & D. M. Corcos (Eds.), Variability and motor control (pp. 449–473). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1966). Prognosis: Psychotic children in adolescence and early adult life. In J. K. Wing (Ed.), Early childhood autism (pp. 83–99). London: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schopler, E., & Mesibov, G. (1992). High functioning individuals with autism. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuler, A., & Prizant, B. (1987). Facilitating communication: Prelanguage approaches. In D. Cohen, A. Donnellan, & R. Paul (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (pp. 301–315). Silver Spring, MD: V. H. Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sears, R. R., Rau., L. L., & Alpert, R. (1965). Identification and child rearing. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokoe, W. C. (1960). Sign language structure: An outline of the visual communication systems of the American deaf. Studies in Linguistics, Occasional Papers 8. Buffalo, NY: University of Buffalo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokoe, W. C, Casterline, D., & Croneberg, C. (1965). A dictionary of American Sign Language on linguistic principles. Silver Spring, MD: Gallaudet College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertz, R. T., LaPointe, L. L., & Rosenbek, J. (1984). Apraxia of speech in adults: The disorder and its management. Orlando, FL: Grune & Stratton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilbur, R. B. (1987). American Sign Language: Linguistic and applied dimensions (2nd ed.), Boston: College Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilbur, R. B. (1990). Why syllables? What the notion means for ASL research. In S. D. Fischer & P. Siple (Eds.), Theoretical issues in sign language research: Vol 1, Linguistics (pp. 81–108). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L., & Attwood, A. (1987). Syndromes of autism and atypical development. In D. Cohen, A. Donnellan, & R. Paul (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (pp. 3–19). Silver Spring, MD: V. H. Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L., & Gould, J. (1979). Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: Epidemiology and classification. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 11–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoder, P. J., & Layton, T. L. (1988). Speech following sign language training in autistic children with minimal verbal language. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 217–228.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22807

    Brenda C. Seal

  2. University of Virginia, USA

    John D. Bonvillian

Authors
  1. Brenda C. Seal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John D. Bonvillian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seal, B.C., Bonvillian, J.D. Sign Language and Motor Functioning in Students with Autistic Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 27, 437–466 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025809506097

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025809506097

Keywords

Search

Navigation