Abstract
Previous work on story-telling ability in autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has found a pattern of relatively intact use of
story grammar in ASC narratives; however, prior analysis has concentrated primarily on whether specific story components are
included, rather than how they are included. The present study analyzes an existing narrative dataset, concentrating on the kind of information that individuals with and without high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome include about story elements
such as setting, character, conflict, and resolution. This analysis showed that individuals with ASC are biased toward providing
local over global details about each element, regardless of whether the element involved mental content. These results are discussed in terms
of the Weak Central Coherence and Hyper-Systemizing theories.
story grammar in ASC narratives; however, prior analysis has concentrated primarily on whether specific story components are
included, rather than how they are included. The present study analyzes an existing narrative dataset, concentrating on the kind of information that individuals with and without high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome include about story elements
such as setting, character, conflict, and resolution. This analysis showed that individuals with ASC are biased toward providing
local over global details about each element, regardless of whether the element involved mental content. These results are discussed in terms
of the Weak Central Coherence and Hyper-Systemizing theories.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1388-5
- Authors
- Jennifer L. Barnes, Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge University, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- Simon Baron-Cohen, Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge University, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257