Autism Is Characterized by \"Mental

Autism is characterized by "mental aloneness and a lack of contact with the world, particularly the social world," (p. 137). Ramachandran also explains the range of sensory-motor symptoms that signal autism, such as sensitivity to certain stimuli, an aversion to change, and repetitive motor movements. Yet it was one symptom of autism that especially caught Ramachandran's eye as a neuroscientist: the inability of autistic children to mime. "This simple observation," notes Ramachandran, "suggested…a deficiency in the mirror-neuron system," (p. 137). The observation sprouted a hypothesis that Ramachandran has addressed with empirical research.

Ramachandran reviews mirror neurons, noting that they are "essentially a network of mind-reading cells within the brain," (p. 140). Mirror neurons are what allows the human being to "adopt the other's point-of-view," (p. 140). Outside the study of autism, mirror neurons "provided the missing physiological basis for certain high-level abilities that had long been challenging for neuroscientists to explain," (p. 140).

Of the specific functions of mirror neurons that may prove salient in the study of autism, Ramachandran highlights empathy, reading the intentions of others, mimicry, pretend play, and language learning, which are all typically dysfunctional among children with autism (p. 140). In fact, the author posits an "almost precise match" between the symptoms of autism and the functions of mirror neurons. Ramachandran's research also revealed interesting connections between the role of mirror neurons and the ability to think figuratively such as with the interpretation of proverbs and maxims. One of the symptoms of autism that can be explained by mirror neurons is the way that autistic children take phrases literally. Ramachandran uses "get a grip on yourself" as an example. An autistic child will physically grip himself or herself, whereas a child without autism can learn that the phrase has metaphoric meaning (p. 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.