Observational StudyRetrieval-Based Word Learning in Autistic Children

Children on the autism spectrum sometimes have difficulty learning new words and using the newly taught information in different situations. In this study, the investigators are testing whether strategies that have been found to improve word learning in non-autistic children will also help autistic children. Specifically, the investigators aim to test whether autistic children learn words more successfully if novel words are taught by repeating the words to the child (re-study) or if the novel words are taught first with labeling each word and then quizzing the child (repeated quizzing).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• When teaching nouns (names of exotic animals), is learning stronger if autistic children re-study or engage in repeated quizzing of the newly taught words?
• When teaching adjectives (visible features of objects, like a bumpy chair), is learning stronger if autistic children re-study or engage in repeated quizzing of the newly taught adjectives?
• Does the word learning condition (re-study vs. repeated quizzing) impact whether autistic children are more successful in demonstrating their knowledge of the newly taught words in different contexts?
• Are autistic features related to patterns of word learning?

Participants will:

• Learn new words with half of the words being taught in one way (re-study) and the other half of the words being taught in the other way (repeated quizzing).
• Participate in 5-minute and 1-week tests of the newly taught words to measure child learning.
• Complete other language, thinking, and autism clinical assessments.