Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Linguistic Idiosyncrasies and Neologisms

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Definition

Autistic language often contains unique features and characteristics including linguistic idiosyncrasies and neologisms. Linguistic idiosyncrasies can be defined as the atypical use of a standard word or phrase to express a specific meaning. While the word used is part of the speaker’s native language, it is not typically associated with the word or phrase of reference. Neologisms can be described as words that have been created by a speaker and are not considered to be part of the lexicon of a given language. Many children with autism use neologisms or made-up words to refer to specific objects, people, or situations within their environment.

See Also

Idiosyncratic Language

Metaphoric Language

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References and Readings

  • Bogdashina, O. (2005). Communication issues in autism and Asperger syndrome: Do we speak the same language? Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohira, K. (1979). The context theory of autism. Folia Psychiatrica et Neurologica Japonica, 33(1), 35–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volden, J., & Lord, C. (1991). Neologisms and idiosyncratic language in autistic speakers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21(2), 109–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Communication Sciences & Disorders, Dean’s Office, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Vermont, 105 Rowell, 106 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA

    Dr. Patricia Prelock (Professor & Chair)

Authors
  1. Dr. Patricia Prelock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patricia Prelock .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology Yale University School of Medicine, Chief, Child Psychiatry Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar (Director, Child Study Center) (Director, Child Study Center)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Prelock, P. (2013). Linguistic Idiosyncrasies and Neologisms. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_794

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_794

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1697-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1698-3

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation