The Social Motivation Theory of Autism proposes that social motivation deficits are central to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), contrasting with traditional focus on cognitive impairments like Theory of Mind. This theory integrates findings across behavioral, biological, and evolutionary levels, suggesting that ASD represents an extreme case of diminished social motivation, driving the intrinsic drive to seek acceptance and avoid rejection. Social motivation involves three components: social orienting (attention to social stimuli), social reward (seeking and enjoying social interactions), and social maintaining (fostering and sustaining social bonds). Evidence shows these are disrupted in ASD, with impairments in attention to social stimuli, reduced social reward, and difficulties in maintaining social relationships. Neurobiologically, the orbitofrontal-striatum-amygdala circuit is implicated, with disruptions in reward processing and social motivation. Social motivation is also linked to neuropeptide signaling, particularly oxytocin, which influences social salience and reward. Evolutionarily, social motivation is an adaptive mechanism enhancing fitness through collaboration. ASD appears to have specific impairments in social affiliation motivation, while other social drives like attachment or sexual desire are preserved. The theory suggests that social cognition deficits are downstream effects of social motivation impairments, not primary causes. Challenges include explaining non-social deficits in ASD and distinguishing social motivation from social cognition theories. Research indicates that boosting social motivation can enhance social cognitive performance, highlighting the importance of social attention in learning and development. Interventions targeting social motivation may be more effective than specific social skills training. The theory provides a framework for understanding ASD as a result of diminished social motivation, with implications for intervention strategies and future research.The Social Motivation Theory of Autism proposes that social motivation deficits are central to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), contrasting with traditional focus on cognitive impairments like Theory of Mind. This theory integrates findings across behavioral, biological, and evolutionary levels, suggesting that ASD represents an extreme case of diminished social motivation, driving the intrinsic drive to seek acceptance and avoid rejection. Social motivation involves three components: social orienting (attention to social stimuli), social reward (seeking and enjoying social interactions), and social maintaining (fostering and sustaining social bonds). Evidence shows these are disrupted in ASD, with impairments in attention to social stimuli, reduced social reward, and difficulties in maintaining social relationships. Neurobiologically, the orbitofrontal-striatum-amygdala circuit is implicated, with disruptions in reward processing and social motivation. Social motivation is also linked to neuropeptide signaling, particularly oxytocin, which influences social salience and reward. Evolutionarily, social motivation is an adaptive mechanism enhancing fitness through collaboration. ASD appears to have specific impairments in social affiliation motivation, while other social drives like attachment or sexual desire are preserved. The theory suggests that social cognition deficits are downstream effects of social motivation impairments, not primary causes. Challenges include explaining non-social deficits in ASD and distinguishing social motivation from social cognition theories. Research indicates that boosting social motivation can enhance social cognitive performance, highlighting the importance of social attention in learning and development. Interventions targeting social motivation may be more effective than specific social skills training. The theory provides a framework for understanding ASD as a result of diminished social motivation, with implications for intervention strategies and future research.