ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to review a program of research aimed at identifying the central areas of disorder in autistic individuals. The identification of the disabilities specific to autism is important for several reasons. First, we need to understand the strengths and limitations of people with autism if we are to plan effective interventions. Although some intervention programs claim to have brought about nearly total remediation, most autistic individuals remain severely disturbed even with fairly intensive educational intervention. If core deficits are identified, these deficits can become the targets of intervention programs. Moreover, treatment programs are most effective that make use of the strengths of the participants so that the identification of intact abilities and interests in autistic people is important.
