title: Debate and argument: on modularity and development in autism: a reply to Burack.
abstract: Burack (this issue) reopens questions first raised by my 1989a article in this Journal, on whether children with autism have a specific delay in the development of a theory of mind, or whether the data reflect deviance rather than delay. His paper is of considerable value in highlighting points for debate. In my response, I focus on three issues: First, the logical possibility that delay and deviance can occur together. Second, the evidence that autism may instantiate this possibility. Finally, the important question of the modularity of theory of mind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, U.K.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baron-Cohen
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003469:Culture; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes