Biomaterial Database

Sign language acquisition in a mute autistic boy. 1976

J D Bonvillian, and K E Nelson

A mute autistic boy learned to communicate extensively through American Sign Language. Over a six-month period he produced many spontaneous signs and sign combinations, and analyses of child's sign combinations indicated the presence of a full range of semantic relations. Further evidence of conceptual progress was provided by the child's increased score on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. In addition, parents' and teacher's reports indicated that the child's social behavior improved. The extent of the boy's linguistic progress and associated improvement in social behavior markedly exceeds that usually reported for mute autistic children.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007858	Learning	Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge.	Phenomenography
D008297	Male		Males
D008369	Manual Communication	Method of nonverbal communication utilizing hand movements as speech equivalents.	Communication, Manual,Communications, Manual,Manual Communications
D009155	Mutism	The inability to generate oral-verbal expression, despite normal comprehension of speech. This may be associated with BRAIN DISEASES or MENTAL DISORDERS. Organic mutism may be associated with damage to the FRONTAL LOBE; BRAIN STEM; THALAMUS; and CEREBELLUM. Selective mutism is a psychological condition that usually affects children characterized by continuous refusal to speak in social situations by a child who is able and willing to speak to selected persons. Kussmal aphasia refers to mutism in psychosis. (From Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 1994; 62(9):337-44)	Kussmaul Aphasia,Selective Mutism,Kussmaul's Aphasia,Mutism, Conversion,Mutism, Elective,Mutism, Organic,Mutism, Selective,Mutism, Voluntary,Aphasia, Kussmaul,Aphasia, Kussmaul's,Conversion Mutism,Conversion Mutisms,Elective Mutism,Elective Mutisms,Kussmauls Aphasia,Mutisms,Mutisms, Conversion,Mutisms, Elective,Mutisms, Organic,Mutisms, Voluntary,Organic Mutism,Organic Mutisms,Voluntary Mutism,Voluntary Mutisms
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001321	Autistic Disorder	A disorder beginning in childhood. It is marked by the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest. Manifestations of the disorder vary greatly depending on the developmental level and chronological age of the individual. (DSM-V)	Autism, Infantile,Kanner's Syndrome,Autism,Autism, Early Infantile,Disorder, Autistic,Disorders, Autistic,Early Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism, Early,Kanner Syndrome,Kanners Syndrome
D012813	Sign Language	A system of hand gestures used for communication by those with HEARING LOSS or by people speaking different languages.	Sign Languages
D012919	Social Behavior	Any behavior caused by or affecting another individual or group usually of the same species.	Sociality,Behavior, Social,Behaviors, Social,Social Behaviors
D014825	Vocabulary	The sum or the stock of words used by a language, a group, or an individual. (From Webster, 3d ed)	Vocabularies