Touched by meaning: haptic effect in autism

This essay explores a dialogue between cognitive science and applied performance in which practice based methods, predicated upon embodied cognition offer insights into ‘theory of mind’ in autism. The discussion will map Chris Sinha’s insights about the way objects prompt cognitive development by studying autistic children’s play through the project ‘Imagining Autism’ (AHRC, University of Kent). The project uses intermediality, immersive environments, puppetry and object based performance in play based interventions aimed at addressing the ‘triad of impairments’ in autism. Close analysis of the childrens’ interactions and handling of objects reveals the necessity of the haptic dimension of thought.