A conceptual framework for understanding characteristics of self-awareness associated with autism spectrum disorder

Level and definition (Morin, 2006)

Physical self

Psychological self

Specific difficulties related to awareness of the psychological self (W)

4. Meta-self-awareness Being aware that one is self-aware

• Difficulties with meta-representing (FH)

• Difficulties with conceptualizing or reporting in mentalizing terms (R)

3. Self-awareness Focusing attention on the self; processing self-information

• Problems with the conceptual differentiation of the self from other-selves (H)

• Experiences not encoded as personal (PJ)

2. Consciousness Focusing attention on the environment; processing external stimuli

• Differences in perceptual processing leading to different mental states affecting later levels of awareness (R)

• Differences in sensory processing (M)

1. Unconsciousness Being unresponsive to the self and the environment