The acquisition of intent-based moral judgment in children with typical development and children with autism

We review the literature on children's growing sensitivity to intention in attributing moral qualities, both in typical and atypical development. A large number of studies show that, although an early capacity to assess intentions is already present in infancy, only by the age of five-six children's moral judgments rely more on intention than on external outcomes in verbal tasks. In a second part of the present work, we review the relevant literature in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Initial evidence suggests that a basic moral judgment is spared in individuals with Autism. However, it is also becoming clear that a more complex intent-based moral reasoning is delayed and, possibly, does not fully develop in this clinical population.