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Slower Processing Speed in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analytic Investigation of Time-Based Tasks
Nicole M Zapparrata1,2, Patricia J Brooks3,4, Teresa M Ober5
1The College of Staten Island, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA. nzapparrata@gradcenter.cuny.edu.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|September 16, 2022
Summary
Autistic individuals (ASD) show significantly slower processing speeds across various tasks compared to neurotypical individuals. This generalized slowing may impact development and inform tailored interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by altered information processing.
- Understanding the cognitive profile in ASD is crucial for developing effective support strategies.
Approach:
- A robust variance estimation meta-analysis synthesized data from 44 studies.
- Compared reaction times (RTs) of 893 individuals with ASD and 1063 neurotypical controls across simple RT, choice RT, and interference control tasks.
- Utilized nonverbal (motor) responses for all tasks.
Key Points:
- Individuals with ASD exhibited significantly longer mean RTs (g = .35) compared to neurotypical groups.
- Processing speed differences were observed across simple RT, choice RT, and interference control tasks.
- Task type moderated the effect size, with simple RT tasks showing larger differences.
Conclusions:
- Generalized slower processing speed appears to be a domain-general characteristic of ASD.
- This cognitive trait may have implications for social, language, and motor development in autistic individuals.
- Assessing processing speed can guide the development of personalized interventions for autistic individuals.
Keywords:
ASDAutismDomain-general processesGeneralized slowingMeta-analysisProcessing speedReaction timeMore Related Videos
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