Startseite Mapping the Research Landscape of Language Development in Autistic Children: A Preliminary Scientometric Analysis
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Mapping the Research Landscape of Language Development in Autistic Children: A Preliminary Scientometric Analysis

  • Zhonghua Wu

    Zhonghua Wu is Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Hangzhou City University, and a PhD candidate at the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University. His research efforts have focused on forensic linguistics, discourse analysis, legal semiotics and second language acquisition. His recent publications have appeared in Journal of Pragmatics, International Journal of Legal Discourse, Language Problems & Language Planning, Discourse Studies and Critical Arts, among others.

    und Le Cheng

    Le Cheng is Professor at the Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University. His main research interests include language and law, discourse studies, corpus studies, semiotics and so on. He is the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Legal Discourse and Journal of Digital Law and Governance, and Acting President of Multicultural Association of Law and Language. His publications have appeared in International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, English For Specific Purposes, Semiotica, Text & Talk, Discourse & Communication, Terminology, and Critical Discourse Studies.

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Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 7. Dezember 2024
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Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often encounter difficulties in language learning and utilization, a concern that has gained significant academic attention, particularly given the widespread occurrence of ASD globally. Previous reviews, however, have relied on empirical observations rather than a more rigorous selection criterion. This preliminary study seeks to systematize the scientific knowledge base regarding language development in autistic children by utilizing the analysis tool Citespace 6.2.R5. We visualized and analyzed research patterns and trends regarding autism by drawing data from the Web of Science. Through document citation and emerging trend analyses, seven key research clusters and their chronological associations are identified, along with research hotspots such as language disorder diagnosis and intervention, social communication, language acquisition, and multilingual and multicultural influences. Research findings show that there exist some issues with the current research, including small sample sizes, the need for further investigation into receptive language development, and a lack of cross-cultural comparative studies. Meanwhile, the scope and depth of interdisciplinary research on language development in autistic children also need to be further enhanced. The research contributes to the extant literature by providing valuable references for autism researchers and practitioners.

About the authors

Zhonghua Wu

Zhonghua Wu is Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Hangzhou City University, and a PhD candidate at the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University. His research efforts have focused on forensic linguistics, discourse analysis, legal semiotics and second language acquisition. His recent publications have appeared in Journal of Pragmatics, International Journal of Legal Discourse, Language Problems & Language Planning, Discourse Studies and Critical Arts, among others.

Le Cheng

Le Cheng is Professor at the Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University. His main research interests include language and law, discourse studies, corpus studies, semiotics and so on. He is the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Legal Discourse and Journal of Digital Law and Governance, and Acting President of Multicultural Association of Law and Language. His publications have appeared in International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, English For Specific Purposes, Semiotica, Text & Talk, Discourse & Communication, Terminology, and Critical Discourse Studies.

Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project of China’s Ministry of Education (Grant Number: 23YJCZH242) and the municipal key research project of Hangzhou Collaborative Innovation Institute of Language Services (Grant Number: 24JD111), Hangzhou City University.

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Published Online: 2024-12-07
Published in Print: 2024-11-26

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