This unit addresses different explanatory ideas on the etiologies of ASD. Several cognitive and sociocognitive processes have been proposed as accounting for the underlying nature of the condition. These notions, which are as different as the spectrum itself, include 1) executive functioning, 2) theory of mind, 3) central coherence, and the 4) mirror neurons system.
1) McPartland, J.C., Tillman, R.M., Yang, D. Y., Bernier, R.A., Pelfrey, K.A. (2014).The social neuroscience of autism spectrum disorders. In Volkmar, F.R., Rogers, S.J., Paul, R., & Pelfrey, K.A. (Eds.) Handbook on autism and pervasive developmental disorders, fourth edition, vol.1: Diagnosis, development, and brain mechanisms (pp.482-496). NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
This reading (chapter 20) provides information on the neural substrates of some of the social challenges of ASD including social perception, action understanding and mental state reasoning. The authors suggest interconnectivity among the various neural systems that are implicated in ASD. Theory of Mind (TOM) and the Mirror Neuron System (MNS) are discussed.
2) Vivanti, G. & Hamilton, A. (2014). Imitation in autism spectrum disorders. (2014).The social neuroscience of autism spectrum disorders. In Volkmar, F.R., Rogers, S.J., Paul, R., & Pelfrey, K.A. (Eds.) Handbook on autism and pervasive developmental disorders, fourth edition, vol.1: Diagnosis, development, and brain mechanisms (pp.278-301).). NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
