The narrative coherence of witness transcripts in children on the autism spectrum

Lucy A Henry,Laura Crane,Eva Fesser,Anna Harvey,Lucy Palmer,Rachel Wilcock

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2019.103518

Abstract

Background and AimsAutistic children often recall fewer details about witnessed events than typically developing children (of comparable age and ability), although the information they recall is generally no less accurate. Previous research has not examined the narrative coherence of such accounts, despite higher quality narratives potentially being perceived more favourably by criminal justice professionals and juries. This study compared the narrative coherence of witness transcripts produced by autistic and typically developing (TD) children (ages 6–11 years, IQs 70+). Methods and ProceduresSecondary analysis was carried out on interview transcripts from a subset of 104 participants (autism = 52, TD = 52) who had taken part in a larger study of eyewitness skills in autistic and TD children. Groups were matched on chronological age, IQ and receptive language ability. Coding frameworks were adopted from existing narrative research, featuring elements of ‘story grammar’. Outcomes and ResultsWhilst fewer event details were reported by autistic children, there were no group differences in narrative coherence (number and diversity of ‘story grammar’ elements used), narrative length or semantic diversity. Conclusions and ImplicationsThese findings suggest that the narrative coherence of autistic children’s witness accounts is equivalent to TD peers of comparable age and ability.

Highlights

Autistic1 children and adults are more likely to encounter the criminal justice system than non-autistic individuals (Lindblad & Lainpelto, 2011; Turcotte, Shea, & Mandell, 2018; Woodbury-Smith & Dein, 2014)
The current study examined the narrative coherence of information remembered by autistic children, comparing them to matched typically developing (TD) children
The current study extended the story grammar approach to look at narrative coherence in witness transcripts produced by children on the autism spectrum

Summary

Introduction

Autistic children and adults are more likely to encounter the criminal justice system than non-autistic individuals (Lindblad & Lainpelto, 2011; Turcotte, Shea, & Mandell, 2018; Woodbury-Smith & Dein, 2014). The current study examined the narrative coherence of information remembered by autistic children, comparing them to matched typically developing (TD) children It extends a growing body of empirical research examining the accuracy and volume of recall for witnessed events in children and adults on the autism spectrum (largely those without intellectual disabilities). Previous findings indicate that children on the autism spectrum often recall a lower volume of information than TD peers of comparable age and ability (IQ) when interviewed about witnessed events (Almeida, Lamb, & Weisblatt, 2019; Bruck, London, Landa, & Goodman, 2007; Henry, Messer et al, 2017; Mattison, Dando, & Ormerod, 2015; McCrory, Henry, & Happé, 2007); findings for autistic adults are more complex (see review by Maras & Bowler, 2014). Conclusions and Implications: These findings suggest that the narrative coherence of autistic children’s witness accounts is equivalent to TD peers of comparable age and ability

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion