Disrupted Cortical Connectivity as an Explanatory Model for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explain the theory of Disrupted Cortical Connectivity and discuss whether or not it can integrate the following three theories: Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, and Weak Central Coherence that dominate the field of autism spectrum disorder research. Due to a lack of existing literature discussing this potential integration, we have consequentially undertaken such an endeavour. In our opinion, integration appears to be possible since this explanatory model can account for difficulties in both social cognition and executive functioning commonly found in autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, the theory of Disrupted Cortical Connectivity could be described as an extension of the theory of Weak Central Coherence.

Keywords

• autism
• asd
• review
• brain connectivity
• theory of disrupted cortical connectivity
• theory of mind
• executive functioning
• weak central coherence