Language Skills of Children with Severe and Multiple Developmental Disorders Including Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Theoretical Review

Abstract

The review paper aims to summarize the results of research on the language skills of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with varying degrees of mental retardation (as independent, not interrelated groups) conducted by Russian and foreign scientists. The review analyzes scientific sources devoted to identifying problems in speech production and speech comprehension by children with ASD, non-linguistic factors affecting the language abilities of children with ASD, determining the relationship of language disorders and speech development disorders in children with ASD and also pays special attention to the study of oral speech of children with severe and multiple developmental disorders (with mental retardation of varying degrees). Scientific novelty lies in the fact that the conducted summarization of research findings will offer an opportunity to develop a basis for the formation of scientifically valid diagnostic tools to evaluate language skills in children with severe and multiple developmental disorders including ASD and to identify the most important criteria that can serve as indicators in the practical activities of a speech therapist. As a result, it has been substantiated that by determining the profile of language skills formation among the group of children under consideration with the help of the linguistic diagnostics of all linguistic levels, it will be possible to select the most appropriate alternative and additional means of communication for such children.