Abstract
Enhanced low-level pitch perception has been universally reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined whether tone language speakers with ASD exhibit this advantage. The pitch perception skill of 20 Cantonese-speaking adults with ASD was compared with that of 20 neurotypical individuals. Participants discriminated pairs of real syllable, pseudo-syllable (syllables that do not conform the phonotactic rules or are accidental gaps), and non-speech (syllables with attenuated high-frequency segmental content) stimuli contrasting pitch levels. The results revealed significantly higher discrimination ability in both groups for the non-speech stimuli than for the pseudo-syllables with one semitone difference. No significant group differences were noted. Different from previous findings, post hoc analysis found that enhanced pitch perception was observed in a subgroup of participants with ASD showing no history of delayed speech onset. The tone language experience may have modulated the pitch processing mechanism in the speakers in both ASD and non-ASD groups.
Highlights
Enhanced low-level pitch perception has been universally reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Participants in the ASD group were recruited from employment programs designed for young adults who have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning Autism
The aim of this study was to examine whether Cantonese-speaking adults with ASD have a similar degree of sensitivity to pitch in speech and non-speech stimuli at monosyllable level when compared with matched controls
Summary
Enhanced low-level pitch perception has been universally reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Prior studies have reported atypical perception of pitch and loudness, orientation to auditory stimuli, prosody comprehension, and processing of auditory signals in noise in those with ASD (see O’Connor, 2012 for a review). With respect to pitch perception in particular, reports of enhanced pitch discrimination ability in musically naıve children with ASD are not uncommon (e.g., Bonnel et al, 2003; Heaton, 2003, 2005; Heaton, Hudry, Ludlow, & Hill, 2008; Miller, 1989). Bonnel et al (2003) reported that children and adolescents with ASD generally outperformed their typically developing peers at discriminating and characterizing simple tones based on pitch. Heaton, Davis, and Happe (2008) reported a case of an adult with ASD who demonstrated exceptional absolute pitch, which refers to the ability to identify the correct musical pitch (pitch classes or tone chromas) of isolated tones quickly with no external reference (Miyasaki, Makomaska, & Rakowski, 2012)
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