Social development
From Autism Wiki
[edit] Autism
People with autism -- partly because of the problems they have with communication -- have difficulty developing friendships and playing cooperatively with others. Often, children with autism don't imitate others' behaviors, as children usually do, and they don't share their thoughts and observations. They also don't spontaneously try to connect with others, as other children will.
Despite the challenges children with autism face regarding social interaction, they still have the desire to interact. Children with autism may just need direct instruction to learn what others pick up by mere observation.
[edit] Asperger syndrome
Although there is no single feature that all people with Asperger syndrome share, difficulties with social behavior are nearly universal and are one of the most important defining criteria. People with AS lack the natural ability to see the subtexts of social interaction, and may lack the ability to communicate their own emotional state, resulting in well-meaning remarks that may offend, or finding it hard to know what is "acceptable".
The unwritten rules of social behavior that mystify so many with AS have been called the "hidden curriculum". [1] People with AS must learn these social skills intellectually through seemingly contrived, dry, math-like logic rather than intuitively through normal emotional interaction. [2]
Non-autistics are able to gather information about other people's feelings based on clues from facial expression and body language, but, in this respect, people with AS are impaired; this is sometimes called mind-blindness, or a lack of theory of mind. [3] [4]
Without theory of mind, AS individuals lack the ability to recognize and understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Deprived of this insightful information, they are unable to interpret or understand the desires or intentions of others and thereby are unable to predict what to expect of others or what others may expect of them. This often leads to social awkwardness and inappropriate behavior.
A person with AS also might have trouble showing empathy with other people, and may be unfairly seen as egotistical, selfish or uncaring. People with AS are usually shocked, upset and remorseful when told that their actions are hurtful or inappropriate.
Failing to show affection — or failing to do so in conventional ways — does not necessarily mean that people with AS do not feel affection. Understanding this can lead partners or care-givers to feel less rejected and to be more understanding.
[edit] References
- ↑ Myles, Brenda Smith; Trautman, Melissa; and Schelvan, Ronda (2004). The Hidden Curriculum: practical solutions for understanding unstated rules in social situations. Shawnee Mission, Kansas: Autism Asperger Publishing Co., 2004. ISBN 1-931282-60-9.
- ↑ Levanthal-Belfer, Laurie and Coe, Cassandra (2004). Asperger Syndrome in Young Children: A Developmental Approach for Parents and Professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, p. 161. ISBN 1-84310-748-1
- ↑ Romanowski, Patricia; Kirby, Barbara L. The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome
- ↑ Baker, Linda and Welkowitz, Lawrence A.; eds. (2005). Asperger’s Syndrome: Intervening in Clinics, Schools, and Communities - People with Asperger's Syndrome Can Lead Productive Lives. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
