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Neurodivergent recipient design and intersubjectivity – A re-examination of perspective-taking in autism

Christina Emborg

Discourse Studies2026https://doi.org/10.1177/14614456261417492article
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Abstract

This article offers a re-examination of perspective-taking skills in autism, based on the conversation analytic notions of recipient design and intersubjectivity. Perspective-taking is here conceptualised as an interactional achievement; an interpersonal, social process that builds shared understandings through sequential tradjectories of talk. Micro-analyses of naturally occurring interactions between adults with autism and neurotypical carers demonstrate autistic turns that are not designed with a sensitivity to recipients’ displayed needs in interaction, leading to breakdowns of intersubjectivity. Four types of so-called neurodivergent recipient design are presented: (1) references that do not facilitate recipient recognition; (2) stereotypical ‘nonsense’ talk that does not facilitate the recipient’s action ascription; (3) non-repaired misunderstandings; and (4) perseverative storytellings that are pursued despite the recipient’s display of disinterest. The perspective-taking can be said to be mutually challenged in these interactions, as shared understandings are not achieved. Such interactional approach to perspective-taking offers ecologically valid insights into the problems that are observable in natural interactions between autistic and neurotypical people, and future quantitative research in the autistic intersubjectivity is suggested.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/14614456261417492

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@article{christina2026,
  title        = {{Neurodivergent recipient design and intersubjectivity – A re-examination of perspective-taking in autism}},
  author       = {Christina Emborg},
  journal      = {Discourse Studies},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/14614456261417492},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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