Assessing Language Ability of Adolescent Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The main characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) lay on the ability to communicate and interact with others. Meanwhile, communication and interaction are highly related to the ability to understand language and ability to convey information. This qualitative study was conducted to identify the language ability of adolescent students with ASD receptively and expressively. Data were collected at seven junior and senior special high schools through assessments using the instruments of Deteksi Dini Gangguan Kemampuan Berbahasa (DDGKB) and Pemahaman Bahasa Secara Auditori (PBSA). 45 students consisting of 37 boys and 8 girls with their age ranging from 11 to 19 years old were assessed using the instruments. The collected data were then analysed by comparing the data to the language development milestones and indicators of receptive and expressive ability from the Education Ministry. Results show the number of male autistic students is greater than the number of female students. Around 13% or 6 out of 45 teenage autistic students already have receptive and expressive language skills over the mental age of 5 years. Meanwhile, 5. 87% or 39 students still have receptive and expressive abilities under the mental age of 5 years.