Why teens with autism struggle with speech intonation

A new study reveals that difficulties in adapting to changes in speech patterns may affect how adolescents with autism understand tone and meaning.

Verbal communication isn’t just about the words we use—it’s also about how we say them. For example, the phrase “I can’t believe it” can convey surprise if said with a rising intonation or it can express sarcasm if delivered with a flat tone. Emphasizing different words or altering the tempo of speech can dramatically alter the message conveyed.

Researchers have long known that interpretating these variations in speech can pose challenges for individuals with autism, but they didn’t know exactly why. Read More