Bridging the Initiation of a Response Hypothesis in Autism: From Language to Motor Action

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Background

The functioning of the executive system has been evaluated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for decades now and on all sorts of behavioral tasks. From these, several authors have put forward the idea of a dysfunction on this system as a whole, or on several of its functions. Yet, the initiation of a response has received little attention until recently, when the hypothesis of a deficit in ASD regarding this executive function was offered. The impairment of initiation processes hypothesis in ASD is particularly appealing for it was reported that with a simple experimental manipulation, this impairment could be subdued. Both cortical and subcortical structures might be at the underpinnings of this deficit, namely the Basal Ganglia and their circuitry, which is known to be involved in the ability to initiate voluntary movements, but also beyond movement disorders.

With this Research Topic, we aim at gathering together experimental research outputs and knowledge revolving around the hypothesis of an impairment at the initiation of a response in autism, that has received little attention so far, or that might be scattered and not systematized. This executive function most likely impacts a wide range of human behaviors, from speech and communication, and social interaction as joint actions, to movement and motor action coordination. We seek studies designed to directly address this issue, from behavioral paradigms or neuroimaging targeting its substrates. Contributors are also encouraged to design specific analysis targeting initiation of a response in ASD. Work with a more clinical stance is also welcome. Our ultimate goal is to promote, within a single volume, the debate, and increase our understanding regarding response initiation in autism.

This Research Topic welcomes a range of article types including original research, brief reports or case studies, as well as systematic reviews, general review, or mini-review papers that fall into the scope of cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or neuropsychology.

Keywords: Initiation of a Response, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Executive Functions, Speech, Communication, Social Interaction, Motor Action

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