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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
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Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
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Memory strategies in autistic and older adults
C Torenvliet1, A P Groenman1,2, E Van der Burg1
1Dutch Autism & ADHD Research Center, Brain & Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Summary
Autistic adults and older individuals show similar memory strategy use, with no significant differences in visual processing. Despite subjective reports of worse memory, autistic adults utilized more strategies, highlighting parallel age-related effects.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Autistic adults may employ memory strategies similar to older adults.
- Investigating age-related cognitive changes in autism is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if early differences in memory strategies in autism influence age-related effects.
- To determine if strategy use in autism confers a "protective aging" benefit.
Main Methods:
- 147 participants across four groups (younger/older autistic and non-autistic).
- Visual Patterns Test (VPT) for visual memory and semantic strategy use.
- Just Noticeable Difference (JND) task for visual processing.
- Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) for subjective memory and strategies.
Main Results:
- All groups benefited from semantic features on the VPT; older groups were slower and less accurate.
- No significant differences were found in the JND Size task.
- Autistic adults reported worse subjective memory (MMQ) but higher strategy use than non-autistic adults.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive strategies in younger/older and autistic/non-autistic individuals may be more alike than previously thought.
- Discrepancies exist between objective and subjective memory measures.
- Age-related cognitive effects appear parallel in autistic and non-autistic populations.
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