Autism and bilingualism: A systematic review of stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences

Abstract

The open access publication is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-025-00519-9While research on bilingualism in autism is growing, a comprehensive synthesis of perspectives from autistic individuals, their families, and service providers is lacking. This systematic review explored experiences and perceptions of bilingualism across these stakeholders. A comprehensive search following PRISMA guidelines identified 28 qualitative studies, which were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Findings highlight the perceived benefits of bilingualism for autistic individuals, spanning cognitive, social, and cultural domains, across all stakeholders. However, while most service providers expressed support for bilingualism, many parents reported being advised to adopt monolingualism. Language decision-making was a complex and emotional process for parents, influenced by societal pressures, cultural values, and their child’s developmental abilities. Recommendations are provided to inform future research and practice.NIE-SUG 6–23 NLW