Gestalt perception and local–global processing in high-functioning autism

Some research shows altered affective empathy in ASD, but cognitive empathy can usually be present in cognitively able individuals, possibly with altered processing speed due to local processing style.

“Some research shows altered affective empathy (e.g., Mazza et al., 2014), but, especially in cognitively able individuals, cognitive empathy can usually be present, although there may be an altered processing speed (i.e. due to a local rather than a global processing style, information is processed somewhat slower, but in more detail; Bölte et al., 2007).”

Isolated difficulties in intellectual functioning associated with ASD include slow or different processing speed/style and limited verbal or non-verbal working memory, which may occur in the presence of strong verbal and/or visuospatial skills in other domains.

“Isolated difficulties in intellectual functioning that are associated with ASD include slow/different processing speed/style (Bölte et al., 2007) and limited verbal or non-verbal working memory, which may occur in the presence of strong verbal and/or visuospatial skills in other domains.”

Superior or equivalent performance in the EFT in adults with ASD has been confirmed by Bölte et al. (2007).

“Superior or equivalent performance in the EFT in adults with ASD has been confirmed by Bölte et al. (2007).”

These issues may explain the failures of Kaland, Mortensen, and Smith (2007) and Bölte et al. (2007) to find differences between high-functioning individuals with ASD and IQ-matched controls.

“These issues may explain the failures of Kaland, Mortensen, and Smith (2007) and Bölte et al. (2007) to find differences between high-functioning individuals with ASD and IQ-matched controls.”