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Uh, Um, and Autism: Filler Disfluencies as Pragmatic Markers in Adolescents with Optimal Outcomes from Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Filler disfluencies—uh and um—are thought to serve distinct discourse functions. We examined fillers in spontaneous speech by youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who struggle with pragmatic language, and by youth with ASD who have achieved an ‘optimal outcome’ (OO), as well as in peers with typical development (TD). While uh rates did not differ, participants with ASD produced um less frequently than OO or TD groups. Um rate was associated with autism symptom severity, but not executive function or language abilities, suggesting that um serves a pragmatic, listener-oriented function. Moreover, in contrast to minimal production in ASD, the typical OO um production substantiates the normalization of subtle social communication in this population.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from National Institutes of Mental Health (R01 MH076189) to D.F. We would like to thank Alyssa Orenstein, Eva Troyb, Katherine Tyson, Michael Rosenthal, and Molly Helt for their assistance with data collection, Allison Fitch, Sydney Seese, and Erica Crowley for their assistance with transcription, and the parents and children who participated in this study.

Author Contributions

CI conceived of the study, participated in its design, performed analyses, and drafted the manuscript; IME participated in the design, analyses, and interpretation of the data, and helped to draft the manuscript; DAF participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Christina A. Irvine, Inge-Marie Eigsti & Deborah A. Fein

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA

    Deborah A. Fein

Authors
  1. Christina A. Irvine
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  2. Inge-Marie Eigsti
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  3. Deborah A. Fein
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Inge-Marie Eigsti.

Additional information

The present study was conducted by Christina A. Irvine, M.A., University of Connecticut, Storrs, Inge-Marie Eigsti, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, and Deborah Fein, Ph.D., University of Connecticut.

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Irvine, C.A., Eigsti, IM. & Fein, D.A. Uh, Um, and Autism: Filler Disfluencies as Pragmatic Markers in Adolescents with Optimal Outcomes from Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1061–1070 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2651-y

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