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Commentary Open Access
Volume 3 | Issue 1 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.33696/Psychiatry.3.032

Two Brief Communications on Autism: The Relationship Between Testosterone and Stem Savants and an Ethological View of Repetitive Behavior

  • 1Director of NeuralNexus - ENIA - Ente Nazionale per l'Intelligenza Artificiale
  • 2Postdoc Research Coordinator of CrossMedia Labs
  • 3Member of SfN - Society for Neuroscience
  • 4Member of FENS - Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
  • 5Member of NPSA - The International Neuropsychoanalysis Society
  • 6Member of CNS - Cognitive Neuroscience Society - Center for Mind and Brain
+ Affiliations - Affiliations

Corresponding Author

Michele Di Salvo, mik.disalvo@gmail.com

Received Date: September 17, 2025

Accepted Date: November 05, 2025

Abstract

This commentary addresses two distinct aspects of autism spectrum condition. First, it critiques the proposed link between fetal testosterone levels and the emergence of autistic traits, arguing that such theories are reductive and risk overshadowing the profound heterogeneity and individuality of autistic people. The author suggests a more limited, theoretical connection between testosterone-driven neural development and a higher incidence of STEM savant skills in some autistic individuals. Second, the paper proposes an ethological perspective, inspired by Konrad Lorenz's work on learning and feedback, to interpret repetitive behaviors not as mere stereotypes but as purposeful actions providing essential positive feedback to the individual. The overarching theme is a plea for a nuanced, individual-centric approach to understanding autism that prioritizes personal experience over reductive biological determinism.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder, Testosterone, Savant syndrome, STEM, Repetitive behavior, Ethology, Individual differences, Simon Baron-Cohen, Konrad Lorenz

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