1
|
Su PL, Yoo H, Ramsay G, Long HL, Bene ER, Klaiman C, Pulver SL, Richardson S, Pileggi ML, Brane N, Oller DK. Foundations of Vocal Category Development in Autistic Infants. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06267-9. [PMID: 38403868 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06267-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The present study compared the infant's tendency in the first year of life to produce clusters of particular vocal types (squeals, vocants, and growls) in typically developing (TD) and autistic infants. Vocal clustering provides evidence of vocal category formation and may establish a foundation for speech development. Specifically, we compared the extent of vocal clustering across outcome groups and age groups. We also examined the associations between the extent of vocal clustering and later outcomes at 2 years within the autistic group. Randomly selected 5-min segments (27,153 5-min segments total) from 1293 all-day home recordings from 103 TD infants and 44 autistic infants across the first year were humancoded (about 9.75 h of data coded per infant on average) to derive vocal clustering patterns. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the occurrence of squeals versus vocants, as well as growls versus vocants, across coded segments. Infants in both groups demonstrated clear clustering patterns of squeals and growls across all age groups. The extent of vocal clustering in the autistic group did not correlate significantly with later language, repetitive behavior, or autism severity outcomes. These findings highlight the robustness of the systematic production of vocal categories across the first year of life. The similarity of the clustering patterns in the TD and autistic groups suggests that vocal category formation through active infant vocal exploration is a robust feature of early speech development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pumpki Lei Su
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
- Callier Center for Communication Disorders, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Hyunjoo Yoo
- Department of Communicative Disorders, College of Arts & Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Gordon Ramsay
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Helen L Long
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Edina R Bene
- Origin of Language Laboratories, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Cheryl Klaiman
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stormi L Pulver
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shana Richardson
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Moira L Pileggi
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Natalie Brane
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - D Kimbrough Oller
- Origin of Language Laboratories, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
- Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The maturational gradient of infant vocalizations: Developmental stages and functional modules. Infant Behav Dev 2021; 66:101682. [PMID: 34920296 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2021.101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Stage models have been influential in characterizing infant vocalizations in the first year of life. These models are basically descriptive and do not explain why certain types of vocal behaviors occur within a particular stage or why successive patterns of vocalization occur. This review paper summarizes and elaborates a theory of Developmental Functional Modules (DFMs) and discusses how maturational gradients in the DFMs explain age typical vocalizations as well as the transitions between successive stages or other static forms. Maturational gradients are based on biological processes that effect the reconfiguration and remodeling of the respiratory, laryngeal, and craniofacial systems during infancy. From a dynamic systems perspective, DFMs are part of a complex system with multiple degrees of freedom that can achieve stable performance with relatively few control variables by relying on principles such as synergies, self-organization, nonlinear performance, and movement variability.
Collapse
|
3
|
Kent RD. Developmental Functional Modules in Infant Vocalizations. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2021; 64:1581-1604. [PMID: 33861626 DOI: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Developmental functional modules (DFMs) are biological modules that are defined by their structural (morphological), functional, or developmental elements, and, in some cases, all three of these. This review article considers the hypothesis that vocal development in the first year of life can be understood in large part with respect to DFMs that characterize the speech production system. Method Literature is reviewed on relevant embryology, orofacial reflexes, craniofacial muscle properties, stages of vocal development, and related topics to identity candidates for DFMs. Results The following DFMs are identified and described: laryngeal, pharyngo-laryngeal, mandibular, velopharyngeal, labial complex, and lingual complex. These DFMs and their submodules, considered along with phenomena such as rhythmic movements, account for several well-documented features of vocal development in the first year of life. The proposed DFMs, rooted in embryologic, histologic, and kinematic properties, serve as low-dimensional control variables for the developing vocal tract. Each DFM is semi-autonomous but interacts with other DFMs to produce patterns of vocal behavior. Discussion Considered in relation to contemporary profiles and models of vocal development in the first year of life, DFMs have interpretive and explanatory value. DFMs complement other approaches in the study of infant vocalizations and are grounded in biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ray D Kent
- Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| |
Collapse
|