Exploring processability theory-based hypotheses in the second language acquisition of a child with autism spectrum disorder

Delays and deficits in structural language and social communication are common features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the exact nature of these problems is unclear. In particular, little is known about grammatical development in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD).An understanding of how language develops in this population may provide valuable insight into how underlying processing difficulties contribute to speech delays. The aim of this study is to explore whether a child with HFASD is able to acquire a second language. This study adopts Pienemann’s (1998) classic Processability Theory (PT) approach in order to predict and measure how early inflectional morphology develops in this child when acquiring Italian L2, compared with typically developing children.