Emotional competence (EC) refers to a set of skills to identify, understand, and respond to one's own emotions and those of others. It plays a fundamental role in socialization processes, where children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and specific language impairment (SLI) show marked deficits. However, due to the similarities between these two conditions, it is difficult to establish a differential diagnosis at early ages. A literature search of the WOS, SCOPUS, and Proquest databases was conducted. Year of publication (from 2000 to 2019), type of paper (reviews, meta-analyses, and experimental studies), language (English), and age of participants (children up to 13 years) were applied as inclusion criteria. Based upon these criteria, 34 papers were included in this review. Results revealed that children with ASD showed impairments in facial emotion recognition, whereas those with SLI showed difficulties in emotion recognition in auditory and audiovisual modalities. Results also highlighted that both children with ASD and SLI showed biases towards the recognition of positive emotions.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DSM-5. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disordersAmerican Psychiatric Association2013th ed.
2.
AokiY.CorteseS.TansellaM.Neural bases of atypical emotional face processing in autism: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies 10.3109/15622975.2014.957719 World Journal of Biological Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.3109/15622975.2014.957719 165291–3002015
3.
BakopoulouI.DockrellJ. E. 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.12.013 The role of social cognition and prosocial behaviour in relation to the socio-emotional functioning of primary aged children with specific language impairment https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.12.013 354–3702016Research in Developmental Disabilities
4.
BeckL.KumschickI. R.EidM.Klann-DeliusG.Relationship between language competence and emotional competence in middle childhood 10.1037/a0026320 Emotion https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026320 133503–5142012
5.
BegeerS.KootH. M.RieffeC.Meerum TerwogtM.SteggeH.Emotional competence in children with autism: Diagnostic criteria and empirical evidence 10.1016/j.dr 09.001Developmental Review https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr 283342–3692007
6.
Ben ShalomD.MostofskyS. H.HazlettR. L.GoldbergM. C.LandaR. J.FaranY.McleodD. R.Hoehn-SaricR.Normal physiological emotions but differences in expression of conscious feelings in children with high-functioning autism10803-006-0077-2Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s 363395–4002006
7.
BoucherJ.LewisV.CollisG. M.Voice processing abilities in children with autism, children with specific language impairments, and young typically developing children 10.1017/S0021963099006149 Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021963099006149 417847–8572000
8.
BrintonB.SpackmanM. P.FujikiM.RicksJ.What should Chris say? The ability of children with specific language impairment to recognize the need to dissemble emotions in social situations 10.1044/1092-4388 Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388 503798–8112007
9.
CibralicS.KohlhoffJ.WallaceN.McmahonC.EapenV.A systematic review of emotion regulation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder 10.1016/j.rasd Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd 6812019
10.
ColleL.Baron-CohenS.HillJ.Do children with autism have a theory of mind? A non-verbal test of autism vs. Specific language impairment 10.1007/s10803-006-0198-7 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0198-7 374716–7232007
11.
CreusereM.AltM.PlanteE.Recognition of vocal and facial cues to affect in languageimpaired and normally-developing preschoolers 10.1016/s0021-9924(03)00036-4 Journal of Communication Disorders https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9924(03)00036-4 3715–202004
12.
CzaplewskaE.SterczynskiR.The recognition of non-verbal messages expressing emotion by children with sli aged 4 to 7 10.5604/17307503.1148328 Acta Neuropsychologica https://doi.org/10.5604/17307503.1148328 1311–102015
13.
DaprettoM.DaviesM. S.PfeiferJ. H.ScottA. A.SigmanM.BookheimerS. Y.IacoboniM.Understanding emotions in others: mirror neuron dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders 10.1038/nn1611 Nature Neuroscience https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1611 9128–302006
14.
DavidsonD.HilvertE.MisiunaiteI.KerbyK.GiordanoM.Recognition of facial emotions on human and canine faces in children with and without autism spectrum disorders 10.1007/s11031-018-9736-9 Motivation and Emotion https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9736-9 431191–2022019
15.
AllamDelaunay-ElGuidettiM.ChaixM.ReillyY. J.Facial emotion labeling in language impaired children 10.1017/s0142716411000063 Applied Psycholinguistics https://doi.org/10.1017/s0142716411000063 324781–7982011
16.
DenhamS. A.Emotional development in young childrenGuilford Press1998st ed.
17.
EversK.SteyaertJ.NoensI.WagemansJ.Reduced Recognition of Dynamic Facial Emotional Expressions and Emotion-Specific Response Bias in Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder 10.1007/s10803-014-2337-x Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2337-x 4561774–17842015
18.
FarranE. K.BransonA.KingB. J.Visual search for basic emotional expressions in autism; impaired processing of anger, fear and sadness, but a typical happy face advantage 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.009 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.009 51455–4622011
19.
FordJ. A.MiloskyL. M.Inferring emotional reactions in social situations: Differences in children with language impairment 10.1044/1092-4388(2003/002 Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2003/002 46121–302003
20.
FujikiM.SpackmanM. P.BrintonB.HallA.The relationship of language and emotion regulation skills to reticence in children with specific language impairment 10.1044/1092-4388(2004/049 Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2004/049 473637–6462004
21.
GlaserS. E.ShawS. R. 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.11.001 Emotion regulation and development in children with autism and 22q13 Deletion Syndrome: Evidence for group differences https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.11.001 5926–9342011Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
22.
GolanO.GordonI.FichmanK.KeinanG.Specific patterns of emotion recognition Emotional Competence and Specific Language Impairment / 325 from faces in children with ASD: Results of a cross-modal matching paradigm 10.1007/s10803-017-3389-5 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3389-5 483844–8522018
23.
GriffithsS.JarroldC.Penton-VoakI.WoodsA. T.SkinnerA. L.MunafòM. R.Impaired recognition of basic emotions from facial expressions in young people with autism spectrum disorder: Assessing the importance of expression intensity 10.1007/s10803-017-3091-7 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3091-7 4972768–27782019
24.
HarmsM. B.MartinA.WallaceG. L.Facial emotion recognition in autism spectrum disorders: A review of behavioral and neuroimaging studies 10.1007/s11065-010-9138-6 Neuropsychology Review https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-010-9138-6 203290–3222010
25.
JeanneretG.OnaA.RegoP.VaimanM.PerenoG.A bibliometric study of the scientific publications that use facial emotion recognition tests 10.6018/analesps.31.1.158121 Anales de Psicologia https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.31.1.158121 311324–3372015
26.
KorkmanM.KirkU.KempS.NEPSY-II: A developmental neuropsychological assessmentThe Psychological Corporation2007
27.
LacroixA.FamelartN.GuidettiM.Language and emotional abilities in children with Williams syndrome and children with autism spectrum disorder: similarities and differences 10.2147/phmt.s66347 Pediatric Health Medicine and Therapeutics https://doi.org/10.2147/phmt.s66347 7189–962016
28.
LacroixA.GuidettiM.RogéB.ReillyJ. 10.1016/j.ridd.2009.02.002 Recognition of emotional and nonemotional facial expressions: A comparison between Williams syndrome and autism https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2009.02.002 30976–9852009Research in Developmental Disabilities
29.
LacroixA.GuidettiM.RogéB.ReillyJ.Facial emotion recognition in 4-to 8year-olds with autism spectrum disorder: A developmental trajectory approach 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.05.012 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.05.012 891146–11542014
30.
LauP. S YWuF. K YEmotional Competence as a positive youth development construct: A conceptual review 10.1100/2012/975189 The Scientific World Journal https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/975189 2012Special issue
31.
LawrenceK.CampbellR.SkuseD.Age, gender, and puberty influence the development of facial emotion recognition 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00761 Frontiers in Psychologyc https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00761 612015
32.
LiY. M.JingJ.JinY.ZouX. B.IgarashiK.ChanR. C KVisual attention, emotional and behavioral responses to facial expression in young children with autism 10.2117/psysoc Psychologia https://doi.org/10.2117/psysoc 5432011
33.
LoukusaS.MakinenL.Kuusikko-GauffinS.EbelingH.MoilanenI.Theory of mind and emotion recognition skills in children with specific language impairment, autism spectrum disorder and typical development: Group differences and connection to knowledge of grammatical morphology, word-finding abilities and verbal working memory 10.1111/1460-6984.12091 International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12091 494498–5072014
34.
LozierL. M.VanmeterJ. W.MarshA. A. 10.1017/s0954579414000479 Impairments in facial affect recognition associated with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysisDevelopment and Psychopathology https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579414000479 26933–9452014
35.
MerkenschlagerA.AmorosaH.KieflH.MartiniusJ.Recognition of face identity and emotion in expressive specific language impairment 10.1159/000335875 Folia Phoniatrica Et Logopaedica https://doi.org/10.1159/000335875 64273–792012
36.
MetcalfeD.MckenzieK.MccartyK.PolletT. V.Emotion recognition from body movement and gesture in children with autism spectrum disorder is improved by situational cues 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.008 Research in Developmental Disabilities https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.008 8611–102019
37.
OrnaghiV.GrazzaniI.The relationship between emotional-state language and emotion understanding: A study with school-age children 10.1080/02699931.2012.711745 Cognition and Emotion https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2012.711745 272356–3662013
38.
PonsF.HarrisP. L.De RosnayM.Emotion comprehension between 3 and 11 years: Developmental periods and hierarchical organization 10.1080/17405620344000022 European Journal of Developmental Psychology https://doi.org/10.1080/17405620344000022 12127–1522004
39.
SaarniC.The development of emotional competenceGuilford Press1999
40.
SchumannC. M.HamstraJ.Goodlin-JonesB. L.LotspeichL. J.KwonH.BuonocoreM. H.LammersC. R.ReissA. L.AmaralD. G.The amygdala is enlarged in children but not adolescents with autism; The hippocampus is enlarged at all ages 10.1523/jneurosci.1297-04 Journal of Neuroscience https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1297-04 24286392–64012004
41.
SchwenckC.MergenthalerJ.KellerK.ZechJ.SalehiS.TaurinesR.RomanosM.SchecklmannM.SchneiderW.WarnkeA.FreitagC. M.Empathy in children with autism and conduct disorder: group-specific profiles and developmental aspects 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02499.x Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02499.x 536651–6592012
42.
St ClairM. C.PicklesA.DurkinK.Conti-RamsdenG.A longitudinal study of behavioral, emotional and social difficulties in individuals with a history of specific language impairment (SLI) 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2010 09.004Journal of Communication Disorders https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2010 442186–1992011
43.
TaylorL. J.MayberyM. T.WhitehouseA. J ODo Children with specific language impairment have a cognitive profile reminiscent of autism? A review of the literature 10.1007/s10803-012-1456-5 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1456-5 42102067–20832012
44.
TaylorL. J.MayberyM. T.GrayndlerL.WhitehouseA. J.Evidence for shared deficits in identifying emotions from faces and from voices in autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairment 10.1111/1460-6984.12146 International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12146 504452–4662015
45.
TaylorL. J.MayberyM. T.GrayndlerL.WhitehouseA. J.Evidence for distinct cognitive profiles in autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairment 10.1007/s10803-013-1847-2 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1847-2 44119–302014
46.
TellD.DavidsonD.Emotion recognition from congruent and incongruent emotional expressions and situational cues in children with autism spectrum disorder 10.1177/1362361314535676 Autism https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361314535676 193375–3792015
47.
UljarevicM.HamiltonA.Recognition of emotions in autism: A formal meta-analysis 10.1007/s10803-012-1695-5 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1695-5 4371517–15262013
48.
VissersC.KoolenS.Theory of mind deficits and social emotional functioning in preschoolers with specific language impairment 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01734 Frontiers in Psychology https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01734 712016
49.
WadmanR.BottingN.DurkinK.Conti-RamsdenG.Changes in emotional health symptoms in adolescents with specific language impairment 10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00033.x International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00033.x 466641–6562011
50.
ZantingeG.Van RijmS.StockmannL.SwaabH.Concordance between physiological arousal and emotion expression during fear in young children with autism spectrum disorders 10.1177/1362361318766439 Autism https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318766439 233629–6382019
