A new study shows that autism is linked to higher level of creativity, debunking a commonly held myth concerning people with learning disabilities.
Researchers collected data from approximately 312 people, which revealed that people with the developmental condition were more likely to contribute fewer, but more unique answers. The relationship between creativity and autistic traits was studied in a large group of both autistic and non-autistic individuals. Participants were asked to come up with as many innovative uses for common objects or interpretation of vague images as they could in one minute.
Fewer creative ideas but more original thinkers
“We think that perhaps the people with autistic traits use more effortful methods to produce answers to divergent thinking tasks (not based on obvious word associations or common uses for similar items) and therefore come up with fewer but better responses,” lead author Dr. Catherine Best of the University of Stirling in the U.K. explained to Reuters Health.
Dr. Best underlined that the study examines just one aspect of the creative process, yet it reveals a nexus between autistic traits and imaginative ideas. According to The Guardian, some celebrities believe the findings should act as a wake-up call to the creative industries.
Tailored treatment models for autism
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 1 in every 68 children are diagnosed with some level of autism spectrum disorder – or ASD.
At one end of the spectrum are individuals who require constant care and supervision. However, the other end also includes others who are very high functioning. Previous research even suggests a possible connection between child prodigies and autism.
New technologies analyzing brain chemistry are now being developed to replace the previous “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
“We are not treating autism spectrum disorders. We are treating the individual child who has the behaviors consistent with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder,” said Dr. Roberto Tuchman, director of the Autism and Neurodevelopment Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Market Business reported.
What do you think of the link between creativity and autism? Share your views in the comments section below.
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