that people with autism lack an intuitive ability to understand others’ mental states and so
resort to effortful cognitive strategies (Frith, Наррё & Siddons, 1994) which allow them
to solve this type of problem in a different way from other people, at a later age and with
different patterns of results.
Attachment in adults with autism - the current study
The aim of this study is to explore whether the unexpected success of children
with autism in forming secure attachments can be replicated in adults with autism.
Children with HFA form secure attachments at a rate comparable to typically-developing
children, while children with autism and cognitive delay are less likely to form secure
attachments but nevertheless a considerable proportion of them do so. Given the
established relationship in typical development between a person’s childhood attachment
classification and their classification in adulthood (Hamilton, 2000; Waters, Merrick,
Treboux, Crowell & Albersheim, 2000), it might be predicted that this relationship would
also hold true in autism. However, all of the research on attachment in autism to date has
used the Strange Situation, or modified versions of it. The AAI relies heavily on discourse
coherence, which is a particular difficulty for adults with autism. Also, while the Strange
Situation is an assessment of a specific relationship with a specific other person, the AAI
is an attempt to access internal working models of attachment relationships in general.
The major aim of this research is to explore whether adults with HFA are able to engage
with the AAI and to examine the patterns in their responses.
Research questions and predictions
• Can adults with autism engage with the AAI? If so, are they less likely than adults
without autism to be classified as secure?
We considered two possible outcomes for people with autism. As their ability to discuss