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Social motivation in children with autism: Support from attachment research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2019

David Oppenheim ,
Nina Koren-Karie  and
Tirtsa Joels
David Oppenheim
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Center for the Study of Child DevelopmentUniversity of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel. oppenhei@psy.haifa.ac.iljoels@psy.haifa.ac.il
Nina Koren-Karie
Affiliation:
School of Social Work and Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel. nkoren@psy.haifa.ac.il
Tirtsa Joels
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Center for the Study of Child DevelopmentUniversity of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel. oppenhei@psy.haifa.ac.iljoels@psy.haifa.ac.il
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Abstract

We provide support from attachment research to the argument that children with autism only appear to lack social motivation. This research has shown that the attachment system of children with autism is intact, and one-half form secure attachments. This is illustrated with an observation of a young child with autism during a separation and reunion observation with his mother.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 42 , 2019 , e105
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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References

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