NEUROPSYCHOLINGUISTICS AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: REFLECTIONS ON LANGUAGE ACQUISITION PROCESSES
TL;DR
The findings indicate substantial individual variability in language development, influenced by neurobiological, cognitive, and environmental factors, with pragmatic communication skills being the most affected.
Abstract
Communication development in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions requires interdisciplinary approaches to better understand its complexity. This study aimed to analyze scientific evidence on language development in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, considering contributions from cognitive neuroscience and linguistics. An integrative literature review was conducted using the ERIC, SciELO, Latindex, DOAJ, and LIVRE databases, including publications from 2020 to 2026. A total of 285 records were identified, and 13 studies met the eligibility criteria for the final analysis. The findings indicate substantial individual variability in language development, influenced by neurobiological, cognitive, and environmental factors, with pragmatic communication skills being the most affected. Early and individualized interventions were consistently associated with improved functional communication outcomes. The findings reinforce the need for integrated explanatory models capable of supporting evidence-based clinical and educational practices