11. Imitation deficits

11. Imitation deficits

For a child, imitation is a way of learning, allowing gestures and reactions to be internalised. The AS initially records these behaviours without reproducing them immediately, but these imitative gestures resurface later, sometimes much later: months or even years afterwards. At the right moment, they are applied. Meanwhile, researchers are mistaken, because learning through imitation is very much present.

“You have to be AS to truly observe another AS and retain that observation so that you can recognise them later (it is almost magical).”