143). Far from being too simple an explanation for autism, Ramachandran notes that single causes often do lead to multiple symptoms. Ramachandran's hypothesis has been tested using a variety of brain imaging techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Brain imaging did reveal dysfunctional mirror neurons in children with autism vs. those without it. In fact, Ramachandran calls the research using TMS "conclusive evidence" that mirror neuron function is the root cause of autism (p. 142). The study of embodied cognition enhances research into how mirror neurons impact autism syndromes.

Ramachandran also notes that mirror neuron deficiencies can cause dysfunctional language acquisition. After all, infants acquire language knowledge first from listening and then mimicking mother, father, and others. Autistic children struggle with mimicry....

Mirror neurons play a role in language mimicry as does mu-wave suppression, which is why autistic children have trouble both with certain audio stimuli and with mimicking phonemes.
Therefore, the mirror neuron hypothesis can explain many of the most salient symptoms of autism. The mirror neuron hypothesis might not explain all the symptoms of autism, such as heightened interest in inanimate surroundings, rocking back and forth, and aversion to change. Yet it is also possible that there are indirect links between the mirror neuron dysfunctions and the manifestation of other autism symptoms. The ability to empathize and to conceive of the self are two of the most important features of the human mind that distinguish it from those of other primates. In some way, these higher-level cognitive processes are linked whether by the network of mirror neurons or by…