17. Joint attention deficit (observing situations without integrating the whole)

17. Joint attention deficit (observing situations without integrating the whole)

According to van Dalen's (AS) explanation:

Take the example of a hammer lying on a table. At first, I do not perceive the object as such, but only separate elements: a square-shaped block of iron and, right beside it, a wooden stick, each existing independently of the other. Shortly afterwards, these perceptions come together to evoke the image of a hammer, and later I am able to name the object: “HAMMER”. Later still, I learn that this object has a specific function, namely “HITTING”.

After Hilde Clercq.

Likewise, when a finger is pointed towards an object and the child simply stares at the finger, joint attention is not yet effective. The autistic child (AS) focuses on this detail, admiring it without managing to move beyond the attraction of the finger, and is not yet able to put it all together. This type of difficulty may persist into adulthood in some autistic people, manifesting as hyperfocus and an obsession with details.