Review of research on “strengths” of people with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Research on the strengths of people with autism spectrum disorder has attracted attention in recent years, and research on this topic is expected to increase in the future. We conducted a literature review, organized past research, and indicated future issues. Researchers have described the strengths of ASD people since the first diagnosis of autism. Moreover, studies on savants’ abilities have increased approximately since the 1970s, and then studies on perceptual processing ability have increased as a characteristic more commonly seen in ASD. But researchers did not consider ASD people’s abilities as strengths in the past and did not use the term “strengths”historically. The term “strengths” have been used since the late 2000s, and research on the special interests of ASD individuals has progressed. Furthermore, researchers consider ASD people’s perceptual processing abilities as a strength, and studies on the assessment of their strengths have evolved. We can identify several reasons for the increasing studies focusing on ASD people’s strengths: changes in perspectives on disability represented by the International Classification of Functioning, development of strength-based approaches to mental health and welfare, and the rise of positive psychology. We have discussed notable issues in planning research on strengths and the need to develop tools to assess strengths and their applications in daily life.