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Attentional Mechanisms in Autism, ADHD, and Autism-ADHD Using a Local-Global Paradigm
B A Gargaro1, Tamara May2, B J Tonge1
11 Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Attention Disorders
|September 18, 2015
Summary
Individuals with autism and ADHD experience greater difficulty shifting attention, a key executive function. This study found that attentional difficulties, particularly those linked to ADHD, significantly increase the cost of shifting attention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive flexibility, or attentional set-shifting, is crucial for executive function.
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit executive dysfunction.
- The role of comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these difficulties is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate attentional set-shifting performance in individuals with autism, ADHD, and comorbid autism-ADHD.
- To compare these groups with a neurotypical control group.
Main Methods:
- A set-shifting task employing a local-global paradigm was administered.
- Participants included 48 individuals with autism, ADHD, autism-ADHD, and a comparison group (12 per group).
Main Results:
- Participants with attentional difficulties (autism + ADHD and ADHD alone) showed a significant "shifting cost."
- This cost represents the difference in performance between maintaining and shifting attention.
Conclusions:
- Attentional difficulties associated with ADHD appear to exacerbate the shifting cost.
- Findings suggest the importance of screening for ADHD symptoms in autism research to clarify neuropsychological profiles.
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