Adults with Autism Discuss Their Experience of Foreign Language Learning: An Exploration of the “Different Strategies” Hypothesis

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Caldwell‐Harris, C. L. (2023). Adults with Autism Discuss Their Experience of Foreign Language Learning: An Exploration of the “Different Strategies” Hypothesis [Preprint]. Center for Open Science. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9kzct

Publication date: 1 Jan 2023 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Preprint Article language: English
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Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Catherine L. Caldwell‐Harris *

Abstract

Little is known about how persons with autism spectrum conditions acquire foreign languages. To augment the literature with the experiences of autistic persons, trained raters coded discussion forum posts for categories such as method of learning, number of languages mentioned, and outcomes of learnings. Compared to forum posts on non-autism websites, posts on autism forums were more likely to report reading and writing as strengths and listening/speaking as deficits. Autistic posters more often reported intrinsic motivation for learning, being a polyglot, and having a special interest in learning language; they were also less likely to report attaining fluency. These reported experiences provide a foundation for future quantitative research.

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Cited references
35
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
3 / 35 (8.6%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
3 / 73 (4.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 3 / 13 (23.1%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 2 / 68 (2.9%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
13 / 73 (17.8%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 9 / 68 (13.2%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
10 / 13 (76.9%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 10 / 73 (13.7%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 7 / 9 (77.8%).
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