?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Autism+and+the+Motor+Theory+of+Language&rft.creator=Allott%2C+Robin&rft.subject=Applied+Cognitive+Psychology&rft.subject=Psychophysiology&rft.subject=Behavioral+Neuroscience&rft.description=Autism+is+a+puzzling+and+distressing+state+which+affects+a+considerable+number+of+children+world-wide.+Autistic+children+display+a+range+of+deficiencies+and+often+present+bizarre+patterns+of+behaviour.+There+is+no+consensus+about+the+causes+or+treatment+of+autism.+There+may+be+a+genetic+element+and+autism+may+be+a+manifestation+of+errors+in+the+programming+of+neural+development+pre-+and+post-natally.+One+of+the+central+and+most+discussed+aspects+of+autism+is+deficiencies+in+speech+development%3B+absence+or+distortion+of+the+use+of+words+and+of+syntax+make+communication+difficult+for+autistic+children.+Coupled+with+their+notable+lack+of+social+empathy%2C+this+intensifies+the+isolation+from+which+the+children+suffer.+No+clearly+successful+treatment+for+their+language+or+other+difficulties+has+as+yet+emerged.+Given+this%2C+it+seems+desirable+to+examine+whether+the+different+ideas+about+the+origin+and+functioning+of+language+offered+by+the+motor+theory+may+be+relevant+in+understanding+the+nature+of+autism+or+suggesting+ways+in+which+these+unfortunate+children+might+be+helped%2C+in+tackling+their+language+deficiencies+or+more+widely.+&rft.publisher=Book+Guild&rft.date=2001&rft.type=Book+Chapter&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=text%2Fhtml&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F3188%2F1%2Fautism.htm&rft.identifier=++Allott%2C+Robin++(2001)+Autism+and+the+Motor+Theory+of+Language.++%5BBook+Chapter%5D+++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F3188%2F