Generalization, overselectivity, and discrimination in the autism phenotype: A review

Beginning with Kanner's (1943) seminal article on autism, through the current DSM-IV-R criteria for the disorder, children have been described as having difficulty with seeing overall gestalts, due to excess attention to the constituent part. In current terms, children with autism have been found to process objects at the local level differently, which in some cases leads to their missing more global information or understanding. These local processing biases have been proposed to lead to overselectivity, enhanced discrimination, poor generalization, and poor categorization. There has been extensive research on these separate topics over the past 40 years. The current article provides a concise review and synthesis of key research findings from these areas. Problems with previous methodology and areas in need of further research are discussed.

► We review current and historical literature on discrimination, categorization, overselectivity, and generalization in autism.
► We discuss problems with previous methodologies.
► Future directions and areas in need of more research are discussed.