Semantic processing in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

In the present study, the semantic processing of a group of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 24) was analyzed, with the main objective of finding out if they present differences with respect to a group of children with typical development (n = 24). For this, an analysis of the content of the items of the WPPSY-III information subtest was carried out, establishing a series of categories based on the type of semantic demand required: significant-meaning association, experiential relationship and general knowledge. The results obtained support the idea that children with autism would carry out semantic processing of information in the same way as children without autism, but they would need more time to assume and establish said semantic processing.

Keywords

• semantic processing
• autism
• lexical access
• meaning