autism
social cures
Psychology researchers at
the University of Queensland
have shown a relationship
between features of autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) that
were previously thought to be
unrelated.
“Autism is a multi-faceted disorder
stories from across
the spectrum
“A second cluster is related
to information processing, predicts the decreased tendency to
where people with ASD process share attention. So it seems that the
information in a less integrated decreased tendency to see oneself
manner, referred to as ‘weak as part of a group is at the heart of
central coherence’. Our research the differences people with ASD
suggests that weak central show in their social interactions
coherence actually causes the with others.”
shared attention difficulties.
Dr Skorich said the research had
characterised by distinct clusters of
features,” Dr David Skorich said. “We found that the information implications for intervention,
“One of these clusters relates to processing needed for self- and suggested that a social cure
the ability to share attention with categorisation—the process perspective on health and wellbeing,
others, and to focus attention on of coming to see oneself as such as the university’s Groups 4
the objects or events on which interchangeable with other members Health program, could be adapted
someone else is focused. People of groups to which we belong—is to treat the much higher rates of
with ASD show a decreased weaker the more autistic-like traits anxiety and depression seen in
tendency to do this. a person possesses, which in turn people with ASD.
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autism feature
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