ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1, the role of movement, and movement sensing, was eloquently illustrated, positing the need for a reconceptualization of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). In particular, the limited perspective of ASD as a psychiatric disorder, viewed and conceptualized through an isolated cognitivist lens, was discussed in light of academic evidence to the contrary. Throughout this chapter, evidence is presented illustrating the pervasive nature of sensory processing and motor control to higher-level outcomes, such as social and cognitive skills. Viewed from a developmental perspective, questions will be posed regarding the isolated and artificial segregation of higher-level symptomatology to characterize ASD, and the repeated resistance to the inclusion of such secondary or “associated” sensory and movement skills. This chapter thus aims to further discuss and elucidate the impact and limitation of this arguably restricted view, and further asks, is it time for a new model of ASD?
