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A new look at language and communication in autism
Author(s) -
Frith Uta
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.3109/13682828909011952
Subject(s) - autism , psychology , cognition , cognitive psychology , relevance (law) , communication disorder , social communication , developmental psychology , developmental disorder , language disorder , neuroscience , political science , law
In this review the specific language and communication impairments of autistic individuals are discussed and contrasted with non‐specific impairments. All the impairments that are unique to autism concern the use of language for the purpose of intentional (but not instrumental) communication. The specific communication failure can be identified with a limitation in the computing of relevance and as a lack of taking account of mental states. This is a consequence of a subtle, but far‐reaching, cognitive dysfunction. The dysfunction is likely to involve the formation and use of second‐order representations. The same problem also leads to specific impairment in social relationships and imaginative play.