emotional connection
Affective disorder continued
21/01/10 10:59 Filed in: Autism Spectrum Disorders
What do I mean when I say that ASD is primarily an affective disorder? There are of course problems with cognition – many autistic people find it difficult to perceive the mental states of others (Theory of the Mind); people with autism have problems with seeing the whole picture (Weak Central Coherence); and they also have problems planning, organizing, monitoring progress toward goals, and approaching problem solving in a flexible manner (Deficient Executive Functioning). The research of Peter Hobson sees these as secondary conditions that arise from impairment in the emotional aspects of interpersonal relatedness.
The tools of complex thinking (what Vygotsky calls the higher mental functions) are constructed when the infant is emotionally engaged with other people. Social engagement provides the foundation for both thinking and language.
Kanner’s early formulation was right on the mark (too bad he modified it later and came up with the term “refrigerator mother’). He labeled what he saw in eleven children in his first paper as “autistic disturbance of affective (i.e. emotional) contact”.
ASD is first and foremost an impairment in the emotional aspects of interpersonal relatedness. The Kaufman’s in their book “Son-Rise” were on the right track. Research is now validating much of their early work. The place to start when working with children (or adults with ASD for that matter) is with their lack of interpersonal relatedness at the emotional level. Many programs target the cognitive level and this frequently results in just simply teaching them some rote rules of social behavior.
The tools of complex thinking (what Vygotsky calls the higher mental functions) are constructed when the infant is emotionally engaged with other people. Social engagement provides the foundation for both thinking and language.
Kanner’s early formulation was right on the mark (too bad he modified it later and came up with the term “refrigerator mother’). He labeled what he saw in eleven children in his first paper as “autistic disturbance of affective (i.e. emotional) contact”.
ASD is first and foremost an impairment in the emotional aspects of interpersonal relatedness. The Kaufman’s in their book “Son-Rise” were on the right track. Research is now validating much of their early work. The place to start when working with children (or adults with ASD for that matter) is with their lack of interpersonal relatedness at the emotional level. Many programs target the cognitive level and this frequently results in just simply teaching them some rote rules of social behavior.
ASD primarily as an affective disorder
13/01/10 09:38 Filed in: Autism Spectrum Disorders
The parents of a child on the autism spectrum frequently wonder -- what can I do to help my child grow and develop. They turn to professionals, other parents, and frequently web sites for advice. And what a plethora of advice there is out there. “This diet will cure your child.” “Don’t vaccinate.” “The only program that works is ABA”. or “ABA turns your child into a robot.” So many different therapies, so much different advice. What is a parent to do? Who do they listen to?
Most of the research favors Applied Behavior Analysis although there is a tantalizing bit of research that is now merging behavioral and developmental approaches (e.g., The Denver Model). What I will do in this and subsequent blogs is just share my latest thinking on an idea -- the idea that ASD is primarily an affective disturbance and the cognitive dysfunctions are secondary to this.
I believe that the starting place is in developing self and other awareness. First develop an emotional (affective) connection and then start the cognitive skill development part.
My thoughts are based on research that I will later share in more detail -- primarily the works of Peter Hobson and Michael Tomesello but also numerous others.
My thoughts are also based on two programs with weak research bases -- Relationship Development Intervention and the Son Rise program -- both have some very good ideas and both have limitations.
---------------
ASD is primarily a social impairment.
People with ASD do not engage in emotionally charged interactions with other people.
They lack the capacity to see other people as people like themselves.
Just because they lack this capacity does not mean it cannot be taught.
Most of the research favors Applied Behavior Analysis although there is a tantalizing bit of research that is now merging behavioral and developmental approaches (e.g., The Denver Model). What I will do in this and subsequent blogs is just share my latest thinking on an idea -- the idea that ASD is primarily an affective disturbance and the cognitive dysfunctions are secondary to this.
I believe that the starting place is in developing self and other awareness. First develop an emotional (affective) connection and then start the cognitive skill development part.
My thoughts are based on research that I will later share in more detail -- primarily the works of Peter Hobson and Michael Tomesello but also numerous others.
My thoughts are also based on two programs with weak research bases -- Relationship Development Intervention and the Son Rise program -- both have some very good ideas and both have limitations.
---------------
ASD is primarily a social impairment.
People with ASD do not engage in emotionally charged interactions with other people.
They lack the capacity to see other people as people like themselves.
Just because they lack this capacity does not mean it cannot be taught.