Intersubjectivity, joint attention and social referencing in autism. A developmental explanation according to Ángel Rivière (Intersubjetividad, atención conjunta y referencia social en autismo. Una explicación evolutiva según Ángel Rivière)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Joint attention has been a topic of great interest for decades in understanding autism and early communicative-social development. Rivière was aware of this fact and emphasized the importance of understanding how this competence develops, how it is expressed in autism, the consequences of this difficulty and the implications for detection, diagnosis and treatment. This article starts from Rivière’s initial idea of joint attention as a reciprocal assimilation of action and interaction schemes associated with early social development and autism. Subsequently, the article discusses Rivière’s approach in explaining the problems of children with autism as a consequence of a deficit in joint attention, which would lead to difficulties in social cognition. The article continues with the current perspective of this competence in relation to autism and contrasts Rivière’s approach with recent research findings. The article concludes with a reflection on the contribution of this author in the light of current knowledge.