The Acquisition of Jordanian Arabic Plural Morphology by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Aim. This study investigates the acquisition of plural morphology by native Jordanian children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The primary objective of the study is to assess children’s capacity to use plural morphology in Jordanian Arabic, aiming to identify the most frequently utilized form of the plural and the reasons behind its prevalence. 
 Methods. The study involved a sample of 10 male and female children with ASD, averaging twelve years old, from Tawasul Center for Autism in Amman, Jordan. Utilizing twenty representative pictures featuring familiar plural items such as chairs, televisions, and children, the participants were tasked with identifying the depicted elements. 
 Results. The findings indicated that the children faced challenges in employing plurals in Arabic, with the feminine morpheme being the most consistently used. However, instances of overgeneralization in the use of the feminine morpheme were noted, leading to inaccuracies. Moreover, children avoided plural forms in several cases and resorted to singular forms paired with words that indicate duality or plurality.
 Conclusion. The research results indicate that, by the age of 12, individuals with ASD experience challenges in acquiring proficiency in plural forms in Jordanian Arabic. The study underscores the difficulties these individuals encounter in understanding linguistic elements related to plurality within the specific linguistic context. It also demonstrates that comprehending the complexities of how autistic children acquire plural morphemes is not solely an academic interest; it holds practical significance for designing interventions to enhance their language proficiency and improve overall communication skills.