Social Differences between Monolingual English and Bilingual English-Spanish Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Objective Bilingualism is increasingly prevalent; however, research in bilingual children with autism is sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare social skills and autistic features in monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods We conducted a review of the multidisciplinary evaluations done in all children age 1 to 6 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in an inner city, university-affiliated clinic from 2003-2013. Collected information included demographics, developmental testing, and autistic characteristics. Results We identified 462 children, 165 were bilingual English-Spanish and 297 were monolingual English. Parents of bilingual children reported stereotyped/repetitive use of language more often (66% vs. 48% p=0.002) than monolinguals. Significant differences were not found in social interaction, use of nonverbal behaviors, peer relationships, sharing or social/emotional reciprocity, mannerisms, or autism severity. Conclusions Bilingualism does not seem to confer an extra vulnerability on children with autism spectrum disorder, however differences in qualitative use of language were observed.