Narrative discourse in adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome.

Livia and colleagues asked adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome to tell personal stories. They compared the stories to those told by adults without autism.

The team counted tiny language tools: personal pronouns, time words, and words that point back to earlier ideas. These tools glue a story together.

Adults with autism used fewer of these glue words. Their stories had less 'I,' 'you,' 'before,' and 'this.'

The difference was small but clear. It showed a subtle pragmatic gap even in adults who speak well.

King et al. (2014) saw the same gap in children. Their fictional stories were shorter and held together with fewer cause-and-effect links. The adult data now show the gap lasts into adulthood.

Dindar et al. (2023) looked at adults again but found a new twist. Autistic storytellers packed in extra details instead of leaving glue words out. The two findings seem opposite, yet both show stories that drift from the typical 'gist.' One drops glue, the other adds weight; either way the bridge to the listener weakens.

Greco et al. (2023) link child story repairs to poor inhibition. Weak self-control may feed both the missing glue words seen here and the detail overload seen by Katja.

If an adult client leaves out pronouns or time markers, do not assume intent. The glue words may need direct teaching. Model them, prompt them, and reinforce their use. A simple visual cue like a 'who' or 'when' card can remind the speaker to add the missing piece. Over time, stronger glue can make personal stories clearer to friends, coworkers, and supervisors.