Emborg2026
| Emborg2026 | |
|---|---|
| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Emborg2026 |
| Author(s) | Christina Emborg |
| Title | Neurodivergent recipient design and intersubjectivity – A re-examination of perspective-taking in autism |
| Editor(s) | |
| Tag(s) | EMCA, Intersubjectivity, Conversation analysis, Recipient design, Perspective-taking, Autism, In press |
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| Year | 2026 |
| Language | English |
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| Journal | Discourse Studies |
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| URL | Link |
| DOI | 10.1177/14614456261417492 |
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Abstract
This article offers a re-examination of perspective-taking skills in autism, based on the conversation analytic notions of recipient design and intersubjectivity. Perspective-taking is here conceptualised as an interactional achievement; an interpersonal, social process that builds shared understandings through sequential tradjectories of talk. Micro-analyses of naturally occurring interactions between adults with autism and neurotypical carers demonstrate autistic turns that are not designed with a sensitivity to recipients’ displayed needs in interaction, leading to breakdowns of intersubjectivity. Four types of so-called neurodivergent recipient design are presented: (1) references that do not facilitate recipient recognition; (2) stereotypical ‘nonsense’ talk that does not facilitate the recipient’s action ascription; (3) non-repaired misunderstandings; and (4) perseverative storytellings that are pursued despite the recipient’s display of disinterest. The perspective-taking can be said to be mutually challenged in these interactions, as shared understandings are not achieved. Such interactional approach to perspective-taking offers ecologically valid insights into the problems that are observable in natural interactions between autistic and neurotypical people, and future quantitative research in the autistic intersubjectivity is suggested.
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