Self-conceptualisation in autism: knowing oneself versus knowing self-through-other

This study aimed to extend Lee and Hobson’s (1998) findings regarding self-conceptualisation in autism by using a more verbally able sample. The study also investigated the ability to conceptualise self through other. Sixteen typically developing and sixteen adolescents with ASD matched for chronological and verbal mental age were administered a modified version of Damon and Hart’s (1988) self-as-subject interview, which also required participants to conceptualise themselves from another’s perspective. Self-conceptualisation ability was similar between groups across the categories of distinctiveness and continuity, but reduced in the ASD group under the category of agency. Participants with ASD were, however, less able to conceptualise themselves from another’s perspective. These results are discussed in relation to second-person processes and narrative abilities.