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Inferential Abilities and Pragmatic Deficits in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Pragmemes and Theories of Language Use

Part of the book series: Perspectives in Pragmatics, Philosophy & Psychology ((PEPRPHPS,volume 9))

Abstract

Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) usually show weaknesses in inferential abilities. In this paper we try to interpret this deficit by using a new theoretical perspective. According to our study, pragmatic deficits of autistic subjects are linked to difficulties in integrating background knowledge in the context if they are not stored in visuospatial memory. First, we analysed some of the more recent methods to explore inferential abilities in subjects with ASD. After we hypothesize a deficit in the integration of linguistic background knowledge and an intact integration of visual information in the context and we try to interpret some empirical data in this perspective. Finally, we analyse two models of perception that differ just for the exclusion (direct social perception model) or inclusion (predictive model) of inferential abilities in perceptive processes. We found that more recent studies on inferential abilities of subjects with ASD are oriented towards a grounding ecological validity that includes various kinds of thought (and not only linguistic thought). Moreover, based on our hypothesis, we propose that physical causation inferences are – for subjects with ASD – easier than emotional inferences that are in turn easier than intentional inferences; based on the engagement of linguistic thought that the specific task requires. Finally, we sustained that if the predictive model of perception will be scientifically confirmed, we will have another reason to study perception to understand pragmatic deficits of subjects with ASD.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For a brief survey of perceptive differences between subjects with ASD and TD see Pennisi 2014

  2. 2.

    Participants must ask some question about a description of an event of witch they heard a description. To execute the task, participants must make causal inferences.

  3. 3.

    ADOS

  4. 4.

    Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

Abbreviations

ASD:

Autism Spectrum Disorders

PPD:

Primary Pragmatic Disabilities

SPD:

Secondary Pragmatic Disabilities

TD:

Typically Developing

TOPL:

Test of Pragmatic Language

SST:

Strange Stories Test

SNAP:

Strong Narrative Assessment Procedure

PIT:

Pittsburgh Inference Test

TLC-E:

Test of Language Competence – Expanded Edition

RMEt:

Reading Mind in the Eyes task

ToM:

Theory of Mind

TASIT:

The Awareness of Social Inference Test

PRS:

Pragmatic Rating Scale

VIQ:

Verbal Intelligence Quotient

CARS:

Childhood Autism Rating Scale

ADI-R:

Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised

ADOS:

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

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The author declares that she has no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Paola Pennisi

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  1. Paola Pennisi
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  1. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Keith Allan

  2. Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Alessandro Capone

  3. State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA

    Istvan Kecskes

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Pennisi, P. (2016). Inferential Abilities and Pragmatic Deficits in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Allan, K., Capone, A., Kecskes, I. (eds) Pragmemes and Theories of Language Use. Perspectives in Pragmatics, Philosophy & Psychology, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43491-9_37

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43491-9_37

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