Automatically Evaluating Atypical Language in Narratives by Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

We conducted an automatic analysis of transcribed narratives by children with autistic spectrum disorder. Compared to previous work, we use a much larger dataset with control groups that allow for the distinction between delayed language development and autism-specific difficulties, and that allows differentiation between episodic and generalized narratives. We show differences related to expression of sentiment, topic coherence and general language level. Some features thought to be autism-specific present as delayed language development.