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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Neurocognitive functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Outi Reinvall1, Arja Voutilainen, Teija Kujala
1Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. outi.reinvall@helsinki.fi
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|October 30, 2012
Summary
Higher functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show strong verbal reasoning but struggle with auditory attention, facial recognition, and visuomotor skills compared to peers. This highlights specific neurocognitive profiles in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the comprehensive neurocognitive profiles of adolescents with higher-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- Understanding these profiles is crucial for targeted interventions and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the neurocognitive profiles of adolescents with higher-functioning ASD to those of typically developing adolescents.
- To identify specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses in adolescents with ASD.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving two groups: higher-functioning adolescents with ASD (n=30) and typically developing adolescents (n=30).
- Assessment of neurocognitive functions including verbal intelligence, auditory attention, memory for faces, visuomotor precision, and design copying.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with ASD exhibited a significantly higher mean Verbal Intelligence Quotient than the standardized mean.
- The ASD group scored significantly lower than the control group on Auditory Attention and Response Set, Memory for Faces, Visuomotor Precision, and Design Copying subtests.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with higher-functioning ASD demonstrate distinct neurocognitive profiles characterized by strengths in verbal reasoning.
- Identified weaknesses in auditory attention, facial recognition memory, and visuomotor functions in adolescents with ASD warrant further investigation and support.
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