Developmental Pathways To and From Autism: The Role of Emotions in the Core Deficit in Autistic Spectrum Disorders-- The Affect Diathesis Hypothesis

As is well known, autism is a complex developmental disorder involving delays and dysfunctions in social interaction, language, and a range of emotional, cognitive, motor, and sensory capacities. Empathy, creative, and abstract reflective thinking (including making inferences), reading emotional signals, and engaging in reciprocal (back-and-forth) emotional interactions are generally believed to be particularly difficult for individuals with this disorder. Many professionals believe these capacities are beyond the reach of individuals with autism, even if they make the maximum progress possible in an intensive therapeutic program. We will demonstrate, however, that this belief is incorrect. Understanding the role of emotional signaling in the developmental pathways associated with autistic spectrum disorders suggests strategies that can lead to levels of creative and reflective thinking and empathy thought unattainable. Before looking at these developmental pathways, however, we will present a brief overview of autistic spectrum disorders.