Neurodivergent recipient design and intersubjectivity – A re-examination of perspective-taking in autism

Abstract

This article offers a re-examination of perspective-taking skills in autism, based on the conversation analytic notions of recipient design and intersubjectivity. Perspective-taking is here conceptualised as an interactional achievement; an interpersonal, social process that builds shared understandings through sequential tradjectories of talk. Micro-analyses of naturally occurring interactions between adults with autism and neurotypical carers demonstrate autistic turns that are not designed with a sensitivity to recipients’ displayed needs in interaction, leading to breakdowns of intersubjectivity. Four types of so-called neurodivergent recipient design are presented: (1) references that do not facilitate recipient recognition; (2) stereotypical ‘nonsense’ talk that does not facilitate the recipient’s action ascription; (3) non-repaired misunderstandings; and (4) perseverative storytellings that are pursued despite the recipient’s display of disinterest. The perspective-taking can be said to be mutually challenged in these interactions, as shared understandings are not achieved. Such interactional approach to perspective-taking offers ecologically valid insights into the problems that are observable in natural interactions between autistic and neurotypical people, and future quantitative research in the autistic intersubjectivity is suggested.