Theory and Research on Autism: Do We Need a New Approach to Thinking About and Studying This Disorder?

Most theories of autism have tended to be static and unidimensional, often focusing on one process that is purported to be defective, while ignoring other potentially important emergent processes. In this chapter, a comprehensive and developmental theory of autism is proposed, describing the interrelationship between symptoms/processes diagnostically associated with autism and other features that commonly co-occur with this disorder. Past research relating to specific symptoms associated with autism is then described, with a special emphasis placed on examining how these symptoms may influence one another. Finally, future research directions along with research methodologies that can be employed to evaluate the structure of complex systems and how they change over time are discussed.