Synchronization and Syncopation: Conceptualizing Autism Through Rhythm.

Area of Science:

• Autism Research
• Sociology
• Anthropology

Background:

• Autism is often understood through neurodevelopmental frameworks.
• Limited research explores autism from a phenomenological or experiential perspective.
• Rhythm and its role in social interaction remain underexplored in autism studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose rhythm as a central concept for understanding autism.
• To explore autistic social interaction through the framework of rhythm and "rhythmanalysis."
• To introduce a non-pathological language for describing autistic experiences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative fieldwork in two specialized institutions in Denmark with autistic children.
• Interviews with parents of autistic children, including autistic parents.
• Application of Henri Lefebvre's theory of 'rhythmanalysis' to autistic experiences.

Main Results:

• Autistic social interactions can be perceived as rhythmic, using terms like 'staccato,' 'robotic,' and 'dissonant.'
• The concept of 'syncopation' is introduced to describe irregular or 'offbeat' autistic ways of being.
• Autistic experiences of rhythm offer insights into social synchrony and desynchrony.

Conclusions:

• Rhythm offers a novel, non-pathological lens for understanding autism.
• Viewing autism through rhythm highlights diverse ways of social interaction and being.
• This perspective can reframe challenges and contributions in autistic social relationships.