Investigation of Early Literacy Skills in Children on the Autism Spectrum: The Case of Turkish-Speaking Children.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare the early literacy skills and home literacy environment (HLE) of children on the autism spectrum and typically developing (TD) children, and to determine the predictors of early literacy skills in children on the autism spectrum. The sample in this study consisted of 30 children on the autism spectrum and 31 TD children whose receptive language ages were matched. Results indicated that children on the autism spectrum had significantly higher letter knowledge and significantly lower phonological awareness and vocabulary compared with TD children. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the HLE. Moreover, nonverbal cognitive ability predicted letter knowledge, and language and working memory predicted both vocabulary and phonological awareness.