Inflexibility as an interactional phenomenon: Using conversation analysis to re-examine a symptom of autism

Abstract

Many accounts of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) imply that the condition's behavioural 'symptoms' are direct reflexes of underlying deficits. In doing so, however, they invariably overlook the social contexts in which symptomatic behaviours occur and are identified as pathological. This study addresses this issue, using conversation analysis (CA) to examine the emergence of inflexibility, a behavioural trait symptomatic of ASD, during play involving an adult and diagnosed child. We argue that 'inflexibility' is the product of the child's strategic attempts to retain control over the unfolding interaction, within a context where such attempts breach normative expectations about adult-child play. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the adult does not resist these attempts, on occasion even explicitly providing opportunity for subsequent inflexibility. This challenges the assumption that ASD's behavioural profile solely represents the endpoint of underlying deficit, and demonstrates how 'non-impaired' speakers can be implicated in the manifestation of symptomatic behaviours.

Empathizing with sensory and movement differences: moving toward sensitive understanding of autism

“…Supporting autistic people requires flexibility between autistics and communication partners (Muskett et al, 2010). For example, autistic children tend to build more skills when their parents understand and accept them (Kapp et al, 2013; Oppenheim and Koren-Karie, unpublished).…”

Medical Problems Where Talk is the Problem: Current Trends in Conversation Analytic Research on Aphasia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Alzheimer’s

“…Muskett et al. (2010) use a conversation analytic approach to study the commonly observed ASD symptom of inflexibility.…”

‘What Brings Him Here Today?’: Medical Problem Presentation Involving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Children

“…CA has been used widely in research on various interactional aspects of autism (Dickerson et al 2007; Korkiakangas et al 2012; Marlaire and Maynard 1990; Maynard 2005; Maynard and Marlaire 1992; Muskett et al 2010; Sterponi and Fasulo 2010; Stribling et al 2007; Turowetz 2015), as well as schizophrenia (McCabe 2009), aphasia (Goodwin 2003; Wilkinson et al 2007) and learning disabilities (Antaki and Wilkinson 2012). …”