The Use of Language ENvironment Analysis in Autism Research: A Systematic Review
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| Title: | The Use of Language ENvironment Analysis in Autism Research: A Systematic Review |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Orla C. Putnam (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(5):1095-1117. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Department of Education (ED) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | H325D180099 TL1TR002244 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Speech, Research, Children, Audio Equipment, Research Tools |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241290072 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | The Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system has been used increasingly in research to record and evaluate the everyday speech of autistic children and their families. However, it is unclear how researchers are using LENA and whether the system is well-suited for work with autistic individuals. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the use of LENA in autism research, to highlight the strengths and limitations of the system as identified by researchers, and to provide recommendations for future research and clinical use. Forty-two studies that used LENA with samples of autistic children were identified through a systematic database search. Researchers using LENA in autism did so across a variety of ages, settings, and analytical approaches. Most studies used LENA within recommended guidelines. The most common purpose of using LENA was for exploratory research. Noted strengths of the LENA system included ecological validity, cost-effectiveness, and timely clinical feedback. Limitations included lower rates of speaker identification compared to human coders and limited information regarding speech context and language development. This systematic review provides key insights into the methods surrounding LENA use in autism research and serves to inform researchers and clinicians on best practices for future use with this technology. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1469216 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | The Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system has been used increasingly in research to record and evaluate the everyday speech of autistic children and their families. However, it is unclear how researchers are using LENA and whether the system is well-suited for work with autistic individuals. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the use of LENA in autism research, to highlight the strengths and limitations of the system as identified by researchers, and to provide recommendations for future research and clinical use. Forty-two studies that used LENA with samples of autistic children were identified through a systematic database search. Researchers using LENA in autism did so across a variety of ages, settings, and analytical approaches. Most studies used LENA within recommended guidelines. The most common purpose of using LENA was for exploratory research. Noted strengths of the LENA system included ecological validity, cost-effectiveness, and timely clinical feedback. Limitations included lower rates of speaker identification compared to human coders and limited information regarding speech context and language development. This systematic review provides key insights into the methods surrounding LENA use in autism research and serves to inform researchers and clinicians on best practices for future use with this technology. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241290072 |
