Bifurcation Theory Approach to Neuro-Developmental Language Impairment in Autistic Children

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is defined by a spectrum of deficits in social interactions and limited or stereotyped patterns of behaviours. Consequently, language as the result and the tool of communication is impaired in individuals affected by ASD. Thus, a better knowledge of language impairment leads to a better solution of the communicating problems. “Dynamical systems theory” could help us understand the development of language and the related impairments. Based on this theory, language development can be considered as a dynamical system with the trajectory of variation. In the present study, we hypothesised that a kind of bifurcation happens in language development trajectory of autistic children when they reach a higher level of language like pragmatics.