The Role of Gesture in Language Development for Neurotypical Children and Children With or at Increased Likelihood of Autism

For young children, gesture is found to precede and predict language development. However, we are still building a knowledge base about the specific nature of the relationship between gesture and speech. While much of the research on this topic has been conducted with neurotypical children, there is a growing body of work with children who have or are at increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we summarize the literature on relations between gesture and speech, including the role of child gesture production as well as that of gesture exposure (caregiver gesture). We include literature on both neurotypical children and children with or at likelihood of ASD, highlight the similarities and differences across populations, and offer implications for research as well as early identification and intervention. In this paper, Choi and Rowe review the literature on the role of gesture in early language development for neurotypical children and children with or at increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorder. Their focus is developmental and examines both children's exposure to gesture as well as their own gesture production. Similarities and differences in the two populations are discussed as are practical implications.