传统上,神经发育障碍的特征是一系列相关的认知障碍,例如,感官加工,面部识别,视觉图像,注意,和协调。在这次重要的审查中,我们提出了一个重大的重组,强调具有神经发育差异的人可以表现出的各种独特的认知优势。这些包括增强的视觉感知,强大的空间,听觉,和语义记忆,卓越的移情和心理理论,以及更高层次的发散思维。虽然我们承认神经发育状况中认知特征的异质性,我们对这些群体提出了更令人鼓舞和肯定的观点,与占主导地位的,在认知和神经心理学研究中普遍存在的基于赤字的地位。此外,我们为这些认知优势提供了理论基础和理论基础,争论可遗传性的关键作用,行为适应,神经元再循环,我们利用心理药理学和社会解释。我们提供了一张不同条件下的潜在优势表,并邀请研究人员在未来的工作中系统地研究这些优势。这应该有助于减少围绕神经多样性的污名,相反,促进更大的社会包容和显著的社会效益。
Neurodevelopmental disorders are traditionally characterised by a range of associated cognitive impairments in, for example, sensory processing, facial recognition, visual imagery, attention, and coordination. In this critical review, we propose a major reframing, highlighting the variety of unique cognitive strengths that people with neurodevelopmental differences can exhibit. These include enhanced visual perception, strong spatial, auditory, and semantic memory, superior empathy and theory of mind, along with higher levels of divergent thinking. Whilst we acknowledge the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in neurodevelopmental conditions, we present a more encouraging and affirmative perspective of these groups, contrasting with the predominant, deficit-based position prevalent throughout both cognitive and neuropsychological research. In addition, we provide a theoretical basis and rationale for these cognitive strengths, arguing for the critical role of hereditability, behavioural adaptation, neuronal-recycling, and we draw on psychopharmacological and social explanations. We present a table of potential strengths across conditions and invite researchers to systematically investigate these in their future work. This should help reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, instead promoting greater social inclusion and significant societal benefits.