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Visual attention shifting in autism spectrum disorders.
Annette E Richard1, Renee Lajiness-O'Neill
1a Department of Psychology, Science Complex , Eastern Michigan University , Ypsilanti , MI , USA.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|July 10, 2015
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shows similar attention shifting costs but slower processing speed compared to neurotypicals (NT). Inefficient attention shifting in ASD may link to repetitive behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Abnormal visual attention is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- Attention shifting deficits are linked to social cognition development and are key in ASD.
- Understanding these deficits can inform interventions for social communication in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate visual attention shifting deficits in ASD.
- Examine the relationship between attention shifting and social communication in ASD and neurotypicals (NT).
Main Methods:
- 20 individuals with ASD and 20 NT completed visual search and Navon tasks assessing attention shifting.
- A set-shifting task was also administered.
- Psychomotor and processing speed were covariates; relationships with social functioning were examined.
Main Results:
- Attention shifting costs were comparable between ASD and NT groups.
- ASD individuals exhibited slower psychomotor and processing speed, correlated with attention shifting costs.
- Attention shifting measures correlated differently between groups and with behavioral measures in ASD.
Conclusions:
- Inefficient top-down influences on visual processing may underlie attention shifting differences in ASD.
- Attention shifting deficits are potentially linked to restricted and repetitive behaviors observed in ASD.
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