There are many distinct behavioral or language differences in those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Pedantic behavior is defined as an excessive concern with minor details or formality, usually with an intent of correcting people and proving them wrong. People that are pedantic like to focus on precision and being correct even when they might be wrong or misinformed Sometimes, this behavior is at the detriment of others around them. If you know someone with ASD, you may have noticed that they tend to be pedantic. That is, they might correct small errors you make in a conversation, or they might constantly interrupt you to point out how they think you are wrong. What is interesting is that they might not be willing to accept that they are indeed making an error in correcting you and have trouble accepting alternate viewpoints. This may be an error not only from a social standpoint but factually as well. Someone who is pedantic might not be able to admit they are incorrect at all and will go in detail on how and why they are correct. Additionally, this can be paired with inflexible thinking as well. If you are on the receiving end, this might get frustrating when you are constantly being corrected. Additionally, this could result in the person losing their train of thought or feeling insulted by the person with ASD.
Pedantic behavior is linked to cognitive rigidity which common among those with ASD. People with ASD may struggle with flexible thinking and have difficulty adjusting their perspective or acknowledging different viewpoints. Research suggests that pedantic speech can help differentiate between several subtypes of ASD. According to Ghaziuddin and Gerstein (1996), individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome are more likely to exhibit a pedantic speaking style compared to those with high-functioning autism. Their study shows that individuals with Asperger’s often use formal, very particular language patterns in everyday conversations that make their speech patterns distinct. This precise communication style can make interactions feel harsh or unnatural to neurotypical individuals.
In addition to the rigid use of language, people with ASD may also struggle with emotional prosody, which is how someone modulates their rhythm, tone and pitch in speech to show emotion. Research by Rosenblau et al. (2016) shows that people with ASD often have difficulty expressing emotional prosody, which can contribute to misunderstandings in social interactions. When combined with pedantic language, this challenge can make conversations appear overly formal, monotonous, or even lacking emotional cues.
Studies by Vogindroukas et al. (2022) show that language development in people with ASD shows a preference for factual information and structures. This will likely result in an overemphasis on being correct and a lessened ability to engage in conversations in a more fluid manner. The study emphasizes that many individuals with ASD might have a strong vocabulary and advanced verbal skills. However, their language abilities, such as understanding sarcasm, and implied meaning, are often impaired
Pedantic behavior and language are common characteristics of those with ASD and it affects social interactions and communication personally, socially and professionally. Sometimes precision in speech can be an asset, but it can also create challenges in forming and maintaining relationships with others. Understanding these language traits and how they work can help foster better communication and inclusion for people with ASD. Future research and additional awareness may offer support for individuals exhibiting pedantic language behaviors.
References
Ghaziuddin, M., & Gerstein, L. (1996). Pedantic speaking style differentiates asperger syndrome from high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26(6), 585–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02172348
Rosenblau, G., Kliemann, D., Dziobek, I., & Heekeren, H. R. (2016). Emotional prosody processing in autism spectrum disorder. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw118
Vogindroukas, I., Stankova, M., Chelas, E.-N., & Proedrou, A. (2022). Language and speech characteristics in autism. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 18, 2367–2377. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s331987
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