Adult psychosocial outcomes of children with specific language impairment, pragmatic language impairment and autism

Figures & data

Table 1. Friendships and romantic relationships experienced by the four groups

	SLI	PLI	ASD	Typical
Friendships^a
Normal	15 (78.9)	3 (42.9)	0 (–)	12 (100)
Limited	2 (10.5)	2 (28.6)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)
Acquaintances	2 (10.5)	1 (14.3)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)
None	0 (–)	1 (14.3)	3 (27.3)	0 (–)
Romantic relationships^b
Romantic relationship (greater than or equal to 3 months)	8 (53.3)	2 (50)	0 (–)	6 (100)
No romantic relationship	7 (47.7)	2 (50)	5 (100)	0 (–)

Notes: Date shown are the number (and proportion) of participants in each group.

Normal: has one or more friends of roughly their own age with whom they share a variety of interests and social activities.

Limited: has one or more ‘friends’ with whom they meet to share their interests outside of a prearranged setting, but limited in terms of restricted interests and responsiveness/reciprocity.

Acquaintances: people with whom the subject has some kind of personal relationship involving seeking contact, but only in a group situation or school/work.

None: no peer relationships that involve selectivity or sharing.

^aSLI = 19; PLI = 7; ASD = 11; Typical = 12.

^bSLI = 15; PLI = 4; ASD = 5; Typical = 6.

Table 2. Number (and proportion) of participants in the three clinical groups rated as abnormal on ADOS‐G items relating to social skills

Item	SLI (n = 18)	PLI (n = 7)	ASD (n = 11)	Typical (n = 12)	Statistically significant differences
Unusual eye contact	2 (11.1)	2 (28.6)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)	Typical<(PLI = ASD)
Facial expressions directed to others	5 (27.8)	4 (57.1)	9 (81.8)	0 (–)	Typical<SLI<(PLI = ASD)
Empathy/comments on others' emotions	6 (33.3)	2 (28.6)	11 (100)	0 (–)	Typical<(SLI = PLI)<ASD
Shared enjoyment in interaction	2 (11.1)	2 (28.6)	7 (63.6)	0 (–)	Typical<PLI<ASD; SLI<ASD
Communication of one's own affect	3 (16.7)	2 (28.6)	7 (63.6)	0 (–)	Typical<PLI<ASD; SLI<ASD
Insight into the nature of social relationships	4 (22.2	1 (14.3)	10 (90.9)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI = PLI)<ASD
Quality of social overtures	2 (11.1)	1 (14.3)	9 (81.8)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI = PLI)<ASD
Quality of social response	6 (33.3)	3 (42.9)	10 (90.9)	0 (–)	Typical<(SLI = PLI)<ASD
Amount of reciprocal social communication	3 (16.7)	2 (28.6)	8 (72.7)	0 (–)	Typical<PLI<ASD; SLI<ASD
Quality of rapport	3 (16.7)	1 (14.3)	7 (63.6)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI = PLI)<ASD

Note: Only statistically significant differences are presented.

Table 3. Number (and proportion) of participants in each group showing stereotyped and repetitive behaviours according to the ADI‐R

Item	SLI (n = 16)	PLI (n = 6)	ASD (n = 11)	Typical (n = 12)	Statistically significant differences
Unusual preoccupations	1 (6.2)	0 (–)	1 (9.1)	0 (–)	No differences
Circumscribed interests	0 (–)	2 (33.3)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI)<(PLI = ASD)
Verbal rituals	0 (–)	0 (–)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI)<ASD
Compulsions/rituals	1 (6.2)	0 (–)	1 (9.1)	0 (–)	No differences
Hand and finger mannerisms	1 (6.2)	1 (16.7)	2 (18.2)	0 (–)	No differences
Stereotypical body movements	1 (6.2)	1 (16.7)	1 (9.1)	0 (–)	No differences
Repetitive use of objects	1 (6.2)	0 (–)	3 (27.3)	0 (–)	Typical<ASD
Unusual sensory interests	0 (–)	1 (16.7)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)	(Typical = SLI)<ASD

Note: Only statistically significant differences are presented.