Yours and mine: Development of the concept of ownership in typical children and those on the autism spectrum (2013-2017)

A foundation of western society is the concept of property. We learn through childhood that toys belong to us or to others but may be shared. Language and motor control in neurotypical children and adults reflects this knowledge. But children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to handle objects that do not belong to them. This causes negative social interactions, involvement with the law, and a major burden for carers. We will track the development of the comprehension and behavioural interaction with property, and then apply it to ASD populations. We anticipate this will increase understanding of these problematic behaviours in ASD, directing patients to intervention programmes to reduce problematic social interactions.