Understanding the Social Nature of Autism: From Clinical Manifestations to Brain Mechanisms

Abstract

Kanner’s initial description of the syndrome of infantile autism emphasized that autism – or lack of interest in the social world – was an essential feature of the condition. For many years, subsequently the nature of the difficulties the child has in learning from the social world was poorly understood. However, over the last two decades, a considerable body of knowledge has helped us understand more about brain differences that are associated with autism. This work helps us to understand that autism may be considered to be a social learning disorder/difference. In this chapter, we selectively review this literature and its implications for understanding autism and its treatment. In summarizing these results, we argue for a new conceptualization of autism that emphasizes these social learning problems as central. We should note that it is a testament to the field that this review cannot aim, in the space available, to be anything but selective, highlighting those aspects of social difficulties that appear to us most salient in terms of clinical or research relevance.