What autism teaches us about communication

Abstract

Impairments in language and communication are characteristic of autism spectrum disorders. They are not due to poor verbal processing. Instead, acquisition and use of language are impaired indirectly by a faulty mechanism that is involved in the ability to attribute mental states to others. This ability, which normally facilitates an everyday 'theory of mind', is impaired in autistic spectrum disorders. In Asperger syndrome, the impairment is milder and communicative competence is higher than in other variants of autism. Nevertheless, abnormalities in communication (stilted expression, odd prosody, idiosyncratic use of words, literal interpretation) remain. These abnormalities are reminiscent of computer based language translation programmes. While machines exist that have sophisticated vocabulary and syntax, there are, as yet, none with built-in 'theory of mind'. Such machines, if they existed, could be used as communication aids for people with autism.

Key Words:

• autism, Asperger syndrome, language, communication, theory of mind.