Hobson et al. (Brown, Hobson. Lee y Stevenson, 1997; Hobson, Brown, Minter y Lee, 1997) han investigado la similitud entre el autismo y la ceguera congénita. En este artículo se revisa la evidencia empírica a favor de la existencia de rasgos autista~ en el lenguaje de los niños cie-gos de nacimiento, a la vez que se aportan nuevos datos de investigaciones del autor. Se centra el interés en (a) el uso de los pronombres personales, (b) el uso de imitaciones y habla formu-láica. (e) el uso egocéntrico del lenguaje, y (d) la capacidad de iniciar conversaciones y de con-tingencia conversacional. El análisis pone en cuestión la supuesta similitud entre Jos niños cie-gos y Jos autistas, además parece refutar la teoría de Hobson.

Hobson et al. (Brown, Hobson. Lee y Stevenson, 1997; Hobson, Brown, Minter y Lee, 1997)ha ve updated the issue of the similarities between autism and congenital blindness. In the pre­ sent paper the empirical evidence in favor of the existence of autistic-lik features in the lan­ guage of blind children is reviewed. and new data from the author's research, are offered. The following topics are examined: (a) The use of personal pronouns, (b) the use of imitations and formulaic speech, (e) the egocentric use of speech, and (d) the capacity for iniciating conver­ sations and for conversational contingency. The analysis puts into question the similarity bet­ ween blind children and autistic children, and seems to disconfirm Hobson 's theory.

Hobson et al. (Brown, Hobson. Lee y Stevenson, 1997; Hobson, Brown, Minter y Lee, 1997)ha ve updated the issue of the similarities between autism and congenital blindness. In the pre­ sent paper the empirical evidence in favor of the existence of autistic-lik features in the lan­ guage of blind children is reviewed. and new data from the author's research, are offered. The following topics are examined: (a) The use of personal pronouns, (b) the use of imitations and formulaic speech, (e) the egocentric use of speech, and (d) the capacity for iniciating conver­ sations and for conversational contingency. The analysis puts into question the similarity bet­ ween blind children and autistic children, and seems to disconfirm Hobson 's theory.