What is autismWhat is autism

Barry WrightBarry WrightFebruary 2013February 2013

With special thanks to Penny SpikinsWith special thanks to Penny SpikinsDepartment of Archaeology University of YorkDepartment of Archaeology University of York

What is autismWhat is autism

Difficulties with – Difficulties with –

Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012)Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012) Imagination (Woodard and Van Reet, 2012)Imagination (Woodard and Van Reet, 2012) Language use (Weismer et al, 2010)Language use (Weismer et al, 2010) Repetitive and unusual behaviours (Leekam et al, 2011)Repetitive and unusual behaviours (Leekam et al, 2011)

However, is there another way of However, is there another way of thinking about this?thinking about this?

Why is it for example that autism is polygenic?Why is it for example that autism is polygenic?

The answer must be that autism confers advantages!The answer must be that autism confers advantages!

Why does natural selection in evolution like autism, which it Why does natural selection in evolution like autism, which it clearly does?clearly does?

Can we find any evidence for this in Can we find any evidence for this in archaeological records?archaeological records?

Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012)Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012)

Lets think about society?Lets think about society?

People with autism in societyPeople with autism in society

A liking for and an adherence to rules (Baron-Cohen A liking for and an adherence to rules (Baron-Cohen 2009). 2009).

High moral stances with a reduced likelihood for High moral stances with a reduced likelihood for untruthfulness (Sterponi 2004; Jaarsma et al. 2011).untruthfulness (Sterponi 2004; Jaarsma et al. 2011).

Being very dutiful, predictable and reliable (Baron-Cohen Being very dutiful, predictable and reliable (Baron-Cohen 2009).2009).

Having greater concern with justice and wider societal Having greater concern with justice and wider societal concerns and a drive to develop and maintain ‘fair’ social concerns and a drive to develop and maintain ‘fair’ social rules (Batson et al. 1995) rules (Batson et al. 1995)

People with autism and their People with autism and their use of creativity and imagination use of creativity and imagination

Frieze of lions from Chauvet Cave, Ardèche, southern France, dated to 32-30,000 years ago (Wikimedia Commons).

Horses depicted at Chauvet Cave, 32,000-30,000 years ago, Ardèche, southern France

(Wikimedia Commons).

People with autism and People with autism and repetitive repetitive and unusual behavioursand unusual behaviours

An ability to be highly organised and methodical (Piven et al 1996)An ability to be highly organised and methodical (Piven et al 1996)

The ability to focus on the detail in any given situation or task (Chen et The ability to focus on the detail in any given situation or task (Chen et al. 2009; Happe and Frith 2009), al. 2009; Happe and Frith 2009),

An ability to more easily recognise patterns than neuro-typically An ability to more easily recognise patterns than neuro-typically developing people (Joliffe and Baron-Cohen1997), developing people (Joliffe and Baron-Cohen1997),

Enhanced discrimination and detection skills, and memory for visual Enhanced discrimination and detection skills, and memory for visual patterns (Caron et al. 2004), patterns (Caron et al. 2004),

Large over-representation of science, technology, engineering and Large over-representation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics amongst those with ASD (Wei et al, 2012) mathematics amongst those with ASD (Wei et al, 2012)

People with autism and People with autism and repetitive repetitive and unusual behaviours and unusual behaviours

The Abri Blanchard plaquette: an engraved bone piece from Sergeac, France,

30,000 years ago

A drawing of the Abri Blanchard plaquette showing positions of the moon superimposed. Provided courtesy of Johan De Smedt (figure ,1 DeSmedt and Cruz

2011).

Variants of bladelets from Dzudzuana Cave in the Variants of bladelets from Dzudzuana Cave in the

Caucaus foothills (Upper Palaeolithic). Figure courtesy Caucaus foothills (Upper Palaeolithic). Figure courtesy of Ofer Bar-Yosef 30,000 years agoof Ofer Bar-Yosef 30,000 years ago

What works against people with autism is:What works against people with autism is:

Societies intolerance to differenceSocieties intolerance to difference

A belief in the notion of perfection that is A belief in the notion of perfection that is flawed (cf versus genetic variation)flawed (cf versus genetic variation)

Problems that sometimes occur alongside Problems that sometimes occur alongside autism such as learning disabilitiesautism such as learning disabilities

What is autismWhat is autism

So to return, can we look at these four things in a different So to return, can we look at these four things in a different way? way?

Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012)Social reciprocity (Lord et al, 2012) Imagination (Woodard and Van Reet, 2012)Imagination (Woodard and Van Reet, 2012) Language use (Weismer et al, 2010)Language use (Weismer et al, 2010) Repetitive and unusual behaviours (Leekam et al, 2011)Repetitive and unusual behaviours (Leekam et al, 2011)

An alternative way of viewing the four main An alternative way of viewing the four main problems is:problems is:

Crucial social roles that are different from strong Crucial social roles that are different from strong empathisers empathisers

Alternative creativitiesAlternative creativities Utilitarian use of languageUtilitarian use of language Skills and thinking that makes use of logic, Skills and thinking that makes use of logic,

patterns, re-utilisation of memory, precision, patterns, re-utilisation of memory, precision, detail and the capacity for repetition and focus. detail and the capacity for repetition and focus.