Introduction
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a challenging condition that affects many areas of life. For example, ASD trends among kindergarten (K1-K3) children in Hong Kong suggest that those with the ailment are more likely to have flawed development of skills essential for social interactions (Cheung et al., 2021). In particular, ASD prevents kids from conceptualizing and reasoning about mental states to comprehend others’ behavior (Cheung et al., 2021).
New findings from articles indicate further difficulties caused by the condition. Children with ASD have underdeveloped executive functioning alongside gut microbiota, with the latter being correlated with the central nervous system (Seng et al., 2020; Wan et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2018). Moreover, the disorder is associated with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Williams syndrome (WS) (Mei et al., 2023; Kimura et al., 2020).
The epidemiology of ASD is an important matter since the causes of the condition are not clearly understood, especially in non-Western populations (Di et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2018). The outline of the present paper will focus on different reports concerning ASD in Asia and discuss some cognitive theories to explain ASD. Autism spectrum disorder negatively affects communication and is linked to several other health conditions.
Review
ASD can lead to deficits in social interactions for individuals diagnosed with the disorder. For instance, Kimura et al. (2020) examine the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in WS and consider the relationship between WS and ASD, concentrating on people living in Japan. The authors note that the two ailments are thought to have contrasting social phenotypes since ASD is correlated with interpersonal dysfunction, whereas WS is displayed by intellectual disabilities alongside hypersociability (Kimura et al., 2020). However, the researchers declare that despite appearing superficially dissimilar, the two disorders lead to poor social outcomes linked to OXTR’s increased methylation (Kimura et al., 2020). Communication deficits in ASD can be characterized by flawed interactions with others that do not differ substantially from WS.
Furthermore, individuals with ASD have social problems connected to FXS. For example, Mei et al. (2023) have investigated FXS in Chinese children and expanded the discourse about the syndrome’s affinity to ASD. While inducing intellectual disability, FXS is also the most dominant monogenic cause of ASD (Mei et al., 2023). Accordingly, the authors state that the two conditions are similar in exhibiting such symptoms as shyness, social anxiety, and social withdrawal (Mei et al., 2023). ASD’s communication deficits are associated with FXA and can be characterized by nervousness when interacting with others.
ASD generates challenges in connecting with people by hindering executive functioning (EF). Seng et al. (2020) have analyzed EF in youths diagnosed with ASD and living in Taiwan. EF refers to such capacities as working memory, planning, and inhibition, and poor EF is linked to social impairment (Seng et al., 2020). The researchers declare that inadequate EF is connected with the severity of ASD symptoms when considering verbal communication and social reciprocity (Seng et al., 2020). Consequently, deficits caused by ASD can be characterized by insufficient EF.
ASD may lead to problems in interacting with others by affecting gut microbiota (GM). Influencing the central nervous system, GM has a close relationship with cognitive development and can impact social demeanor (Wan et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2018). Researchers from two separate studies have investigated the connection between ASD and GM. Zhang et al. (2018) have examined fecal microbiota changes in ASD-diagnosed children living in China and found a link between gut, brain, and behavior. Wan et al. (2021) concentrated on GM alterations in Chinese kids with ASD and found substantial differences between those with and without the disorder. Accordingly, social communication deficits in ASD can be connected to problems in GM.
Table 1. Summary of Studies
Discussion
Cognitive theories (CTs) of ASD can explain communication insufficiencies by linking one’s mind to social skills. Some of the most prevalent CTs on the matter are executive dysfunction (ED) and empathy-systemizing (ES) (Seng et al., 2020; Wan et al., 2022). ED was utilized in one of the above-reviewed studies, which connected poor EF with ASD-induced deficits in verbal communication and social reciprocity (Seng et al., 2020). The researchers made such a connection by investigating functions like verbal and visuospatial working memory, cognitive flexibility, and planning (Seng et al., 2020).
Nonetheless, some argue that ES is better suited to clarify various ASD features (Wan et al., 2022). ES refers to a two-factor theory, with the first identifying mental state and responding to others’ behavior, and the second being responsible for analyzing rules and systems (Wan et al., 2022). ES employs below-average empathy and above-average systemizing to exemplify difficulties faced by individuals diagnosed with ASD (Wan et al., 2022). Therefore, CTs of ASD can potentially explain communication deficits by indicating connections between a person’s social skills and cognitive abilities.
When relying on a CT, it is important to remember that each has strengths and limitations. For instance, the advantages of ED include its association with specific ASD impairments and a moderate abundance of findings from prior investigations (Seng et al., 2020). However, impediments to the theory include a lack of understanding of how to apply ED to the genetic mechanisms of ASD, and most previous studies have focused on small sample sizes (Seng et al., 2020). In contrast, the potencies of ES are its thoroughness and potential relevancy in modern contexts, while its primary drawback is the probable difficulty of application (Wan et al., 2022). CTs have both strengths and limitations that must be considered when relying on or using a theory.
Conclusion
To summarize, autism spectrum disorder hinders communication and is connected to other health conditions. The ailment is associated with Williams syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, alongside alterations in gut microbiota. ASD causes poor social interactions, social anxiety, and withdrawal, degrades verbal contacts and social reciprocity, and affects behavior.
Accordingly, ASD influences how people diagnosed with the disorder communicate with others. Nonetheless, the limitation of the research presented in the current paper is that it concentrates on generalization since all reviewed studies primarily focus on small groups of people living in Asian countries. Consequently, further investigation is needed to thoroughly examine communication deficits in ASD.
References
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