title: Autistics' Atypical Joint Attention: Policy Implications and Empirical Nuance.
abstract: Burack and Russo (2008) applaud our approach to understanding autistics' atypical joint attention (Gernsbacher, Stevenson, Khandakar, & Goldsmith, 2008) but express some concerns about the evidence we drew upon to support our thesis. In response, we underscore the empirical nuance of our thesis-that autistics' atypical manifestations of joint attention arise from their atypical resistance to distraction, atypical parallel perception, and atypical execution of volitional actions. We recap how our hypothesis derives from fresh interpretations, well-replicated findings, and underlying mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Morton Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gernsbacher
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Suraiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khandakar
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: H Hill
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
keywords: autism; enhanced perceptual processing; gaze dyspraxia; intentionality; joint attention; pointing