|
Useful Links |
|
|
Article Details :: |
|
|
| Article Name : | | | AUTISM: AN EVALUATION IN TERMS OF THEORY OF MIND AND AUTISTIC SAVANTS | | Author Name : | | | Vijay Kumar Grover | | Publisher : | | | Ashok Yakkaldevi | | Article Series No. : | | | GRT-5038 | | Article URL : | |  | Author Profile View PDF In browser | | Abstract : | | | The paper is about evaluating theory of mind for explaining autism and a challenge posed to its validity by reality of autistic savants. Paper explains symptoms of autism in terms of triad behaviours of lack of communication, social abilities and imagination followed by explanations proposed by theory of mind in terms operational term called mentalistic deficit. Two theories of theory of mind namely ‘theory-theory’ and ‘simulation theory’ are discussed for explanation of hypotheses of theory of mind. Second half of the paper deals with phenomenon of autistic savants, savant skills with evidences in the form of documented studies. A brief review of theories of examining savant skills is presented here. All these skills oppose the explanations provided by theory of mind. Finally it has been agreed that both theory of mind and autistic savant are realities and are complementary to each other rather than opposing each other. If a child is found autistic we need to ascertain whether child is a savant or simply autistic one. In concluding remarks author suggests savants skills should be used as advantage in favor of the autistic child and label instead be changed to ‘wonder child’. | | Keywords : | | |
|
|