The Autistic Linguistic Spectrum

Brenner, Leon S.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50715-2_7

Cited by 2 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Accordingly, it gives another twist of the screw to our understanding the psychoanalytic etiology of autism in psycholinguistic terms. We now see that the causal factor in autism is not the refusal of language as a whole, but the refusal to adopt signifiers from the Other, namely, the rejection of the domain of the signifiers shared by subjects in a particular culture (Brenner, 2020, pp. 214–216).…”

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…81–90, 2019). 3 This unique autistic rejection is causative rather than consequential and has been developed in great length elsewhere (Brenner, 2020). However, this causative factor has to be nuanced by stressing that it is not the case that the rejection of alienation gives rise to autism, which is then treated in psychoanalysis.…”

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For that reason, one of the most well-known Lacanian psychoanalytic observations regarding autism specifies it by the refusal of the appeal to the Other (Lefort & Lefort, 2003, p. 14). One can identify this refusal quite early in a child’s lack of eye contact with their caregiver, the absence of crying even in cases where the child is hungry, as well as in the preference for indirect or idiosyncratic forms of expression that avoid the subjective factor in speech (Brenner, 2020, p. 193; Esposito & Venuti, 2008; Maleval, 2009, pp. 88, 96; Senju & Johnson, 2009).…”

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Building on the distinction Lacan makes between the signifier and the sign, several Lacanian scholars have developed the hypothesis that the specificities in language and speech development characterizing autism can be accounted for by asserting that the autistic mode of access to language chiefly relies on signs (Brenner, 2020, p. 233; Maleval, 2009, pp. 95, 185).…”

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In comparison, I argue that, rather than “thawing” and reinstating the master signifier, the dialectization of signs offers a substitute for its libidinal function. In this sense, it gives rise to particular alterations on the level of drive functioning, where the “aimless” movement of the drive circuit is circumvented by a “rim” that locally organizes its trajectory (Brenner, 2020, 2022). In doing so, the imaginary dialectization of signs can be said to treat the disjunction between affect and language in autism (Maleval, 2009, p. 216), providing the subject with an opportunity to expand their affective vocabulary in a safe and nonthreatening way.…”

Section: Lacanian Perspective: Imaginary Dialectization Of Signsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The autistic pseudosignifier: Imaginary dialectization of signs in the clinic of autism

Brenner

2023

Theory & Psychology

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Abnormalities in language and speech development are a defining feature of autism. Several psychoanalysts have hypothesized that these abnormalities originate in a unique mode of access to language that exclusively relies on signs rather than signifiers. Compared to the flexibility and dynamism of a language made of signifiers, a language made of signs is rigid, cumbersome, and poor in its capacity to encode complex concepts. This article investigates the supplementary methods that autistic subjects adopt to compensate for these setbacks, methods that enable them to encode complex concepts into their vocabulary using iconic signs. These methods are then developed into a psychoanalytic theory on the use of iconic signs in the strengthening of autistic language in the context of art therapy. A variety of case studies are then used to illustrate how newly gained access to a level of conceptual complexity can also bring dramatic changes to their lives.

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Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Language Specificities In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lacanian Perspective: Imaginary Dialectization Of Signsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The autistic pseudosignifier: Imaginary dialectization of signs in the clinic of autism

Brenner

2023

Theory & Psychology

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Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals

Lizon,

Taels,

Vanheule

2023

Autism

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Autistic individuals often experience challenges in social communication and interaction, and there is growing evidence that specific interests can help them regulate these difficulties. However, it is unclear what specific properties of these interests make them suitable for this role. In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to explore the social functions of their specific interests. Data analysis followed Grounded Theory and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis principles. Our analysis revealed that these interests have two important functions in social communication and interaction. On one hand, they provide a means of disconnecting from the often-distressing challenges in the social outside world. On the other hand, specific interests serve as a social compass: they provide structure and meaning to social reality, can foster a sense of connection with others, and provide an entryway for social participation. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests enhance the experience of a psychological boundary between oneself and others, which contributes to a sense of safety during social interactions. Our study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapeutic interventions can improve the social communication and interaction of autistic individuals, without losing sight of their personal well-being. Lay abstract Growing evidence shows that specific interests can help autistic individuals cope with difficulties in social communication and interaction. However, it is unclear which specific characteristics of these interests make them suitable for this coping role. Therefore, this study explored how specific interests can help autistic individuals navigate social communication and interaction. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to inquire about their perspectives on the meanings and functions of their specific interest in their (social) life. We found that specific interests served two important social functions. First, the interests provided a way to disconnect from the challenging outside world, through a shift in the attentional focus of participants. Second, the interests served as a “social compass,” providing structure and meaning to social situations and helping the participants feel more connected to others. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests create the experience of a “protective boundary” between oneself and others, which helps autistic individuals feel safe during social interactions. Namely, engaging in specific interests not only creates a space where autistic individuals can retreat when they feel overwhelmed, but also provides a framework with delineations in time and space, as well as explicit rules for social interactions, which make them more predictable and regulated. The study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapy can help improve social communication and interaction for autistic individuals while still prioritizing their personal well-being.

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The Autistic Linguistic Spectrum

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

The autistic pseudosignifier: Imaginary dialectization of signs in the clinic of autism

The autistic pseudosignifier: Imaginary dialectization of signs in the clinic of autism

Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals

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