2031V - Code-Switching in Conversations With a Bilingual, Autistic Adult

Code-switching (CS), a form of language alternation, consists of the use two languages within the same conversation. To date, we know little about CS among autistic bilinguals. To fill this gap, we used Conversation Analysis (CA) to examine 237 instances of language alternation by a bilingual autistic adult with severe language impairment. This presentation focuses on the 127 discourse-related instances. The study’s findings illustrate the additive effects of language alternation and problematize common assumptions about the conversational deficits of autistic bilinguals. Implications include the need for professionals to be cautious when advising caregivers about the best language environments and practices for autistic children; ponder assumptions about language alternation; and consider using CA to learn about their clients’ conversational profiles.