Sinhala social communication production in children with typical and atypical development (Gampaha district, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

Social communication disorders in children, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are raising much concern globally. The rising figures of the child populations affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder have called for more scientific investigation both at international and national levels. A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder can be reliably made by the age of 2 years, and behaviour predictive of autism is evident as early as 12 or 18 months. Culturally and linguistically validated tools and functional markers do not exist for children in Sri Lanka. The available profiles are western models. This presentation describes a cross sectional and mixed methods study, exploring the social communication production of 32 typically developing children, living in Sinhala speaking home environments in the Gampaha district, from 09 – 30 months of age and 08 children with developmental disorders from 09 – 48 months of age. Interviewer administered questionnaires and naturalistic observation were employed as methods for data collection. Data analysis used Excel and SPSS and thematic analysis of video observations. Linguistic and socio cultural aspects emerging from the data and the need for validation of norms for Sinhala social communication for early identification of children with at risk for atypical development will be discussed.