How is calendar calculation in autism possible? A language model.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Case studies of brain injuries and unique cognitive abilities inform our understanding of human cognition.
• Calendar calculation (CC) is a notable special ability in autism, characterized by exceptional speed and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an integrative model for understanding the development and mastery of calendar calculation (CC) in autism.
• To explore the role of atypical language acquisition pathways in facilitating expertise in complex symbolic systems.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual model development based on existing research on autism, language acquisition, and cognitive abilities.
• Integration of findings on oral language delays and preference for written code in autistic children.

Main Results:

• The proposed model suggests that innate linguistic cognitive resources, when oriented towards symbolic systems, drive CC development in autism.
• Atypical language acquisition, particularly early preference for written code, may facilitate expertise in non-social complex material.

Conclusions:

• The integrative model offers a novel perspective on language trajectories in autism.
• This framework highlights the flexibility of human language abilities and their potential to foster expertise in diverse domains.