Attentional Processes in Autism

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 433 - 440
• Main Authors: Goldstein, Gerald, Johnson, Cynthia R., Minshew, Nancy J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.08.2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adults; Attention; Attention Control; Attention Deficit Disorders; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Attentional processes; Autism; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Autistic people; Biological and medical sciences; Child clinical studies; Children; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognitive Processes; Control Groups; Decision Making; Developmental disorders; Environment; Executive Function; Eye Movements; Factor Analysis; Health Services; High functioning; Humans; Infantile autism; Information Processing; Medical sciences; Motor Reactions; Performance Tests; Problem Solving; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychomotor Disorders - diagnosis; Psychomotor Disorders - etiology; Psychomotor Skills; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Stimuli; Human; Autism; Attentional disorder; Adolescent; Attention; Adult; Developmental disorder; Cognition; Child
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1010620820786

Attention processes in 103 children and adults with high functioning autism were compared with a matched control group using a battery of attention measures. Differences were found only on tasks which placed demands on cognitive flexibility or psychomotor speed, suggesting that purported attention deficits in autism may actually be primary deficits in complex decision making or psychomotor abilities. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)