New research explores relationship between autism spectrum conditions and material culture
Autism spectrum conditions are widely characterized as a cognitive difference which affects social understanding and behaviour. However, evidence increasingly suggests that the condition also affects engagement with material aspects of the environment.
iIn this article in the journal Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, a team including Prof Penny Spikins, Callum Scott and Prof John Schofield, working in collaboration with Prof Barry Wright from the Dept of Health Sciences and Hannah Pearson (Bradford Metropolitan District Council), review research into how autism affects engagement with the
material world.
They argue that, whilst there are important distinctions, autism affects perception of the social and material world in similar ways. Furthermore, a subtly different engagement with the material world can bring certain advantages and social contributions.
Read about Penny Spikins' research, including that into coginitive variability and neurodiversity.