Question

Ryan is 4 years old. he does not like to make eye contact, does not engage in reciprocal games with his parents or other children, and does not express awareness of others' points of view. his deficits, which have been diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder, may be due to ____.​

a. ​visual and auditory sensitivity
b. ​a failure to develop a normal theory of mind
c. ​slow development of language skills
d. ​a lack of auditory filtering

Answer 1

Ryan's symptoms of not making eye contact, not playing reciprocal games, and not understanding others' viewpoints suggest a failure to develop a normal theory of mind, a key aspect of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ryan's difficulty with making eye contact, engaging in reciprocal games, and understanding others' perspectives are symptomatic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder. In Ryan's case, these deficits may particularly be due to b. a failure to develop a normal theory of mind. The 'theory of mind' refers to the ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that are different from one's own. This cognitive ability typically develops in early childhood and is essential for engaging in social behaviors and empathizing with others.

While other factors such as visual and auditory sensitivity, the development of language skills, and auditory filtering can also affect those with ASD, the core issue here relates to perceiving and processing social information. Ryan's symptoms reflect a fundamental challenge in understanding and responding to social interactions, which is a characteristic component of ASD.

Answer 2

Rayn's deficits (he does not express awareness of others, e does not make any eye contact), which have been diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder, may be due to a failure to develop a normal theory of mind.