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Cited by 179Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderDevelopmental and Educational Neuropsychology

Attentional processes in autism

Goldstein, Gerald, Johnson, Cynthia R., Minshew, Nancy J.·2001·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
DOI 10.1023/a:1010620820786
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Abstract

Attentional processes in individuals with high-functioning autism were compared with a matched control group. Participants for the study were 103 children and adults with autism and 103 control subjects. Measures administered corresponded to Mirsky et al.'s (1991) factor analysis of tests of attention. Diminished performance was noted on measures that loaded on the Focus-Execute and Shift factors, but not on the Sustain and Encode factors. For tests in which psychomotor speed was used as the score, and the difference between groups was significant, covariance analyses were performed, using tests of basic motor functions as covariates. This procedure led to attenuation to the point of nonsignificant differences in the case of some of the attention tests. Thus, this comprehensive analysis of attention in individuals with high-functioning autism only found differences on measures in which the task placed demands on cognitive flexibility or psychomotor speed. Thus, purported attention deficits in autism may actually be primary deficits in complex decision making or psychomotor abilities.

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Crossref · 10.1023/a:1010620820786

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47 of 47 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Using the >3 cutoff, no TMT study provided evidence of cognitive flexibility problems in autism (autism ratios 2.0 or 2.1; schizophrenia >3).

    “If we calculate this ratio (autism groups 2.0 [15,16] or 2.1 [8], schizophrenia groups >3 [16]), none of the studies actually showed evidence for difficulties with cognitive flexibility in autism.”

    From The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism (2009) · cites this paper as [15]

  • Recent WCST studies demonstrate deficits in changing sorting strategy across autism subtypes, ages, and cognitive levels.

    “Recent studies using this measure in autism also demonstrate deficits in changing sorting strategy across populations of various autism subtypes, ages and cognitive levels ([9,13–22], but see Ref. [23]).”

    From The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism (2009) · cites this paper as [15]

  • Four studies reported TMT difficulties in participants with autism.

    “By contrast, four studies reported that participants with autism did have difficulties with this task [8,15–17]”

    From The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism (2009) · cites this paper as [15]

  • Studies using the Trail Making Test report mixed conclusions.

    “Studies using another clinical neuropsychological measure, the trail making test (TMT), report mixed conclusions [8,9,15–17,29].”

    From The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism (2009) · cites this paper as [15]

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Authors
Goldstein, G., Johnson, C. R., & Minshew, N. J.
Affiliations
University of Pittsburgh (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2001-08
Volume
31
Issue
4
Pages
433-440
ISSN
  • 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3432
DOI
10.1023/a:1010620820786
OpenAlex
W1518078773
Cited by
179
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 16
FWCI
1.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS33355)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
Keywords
high-functioning autism, attention, attentional processes, cognitive flexibility, psychomotor speed, attention deficits, complex decision-making, children and adults with autism
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Attention, Autistic Disorder, Cognition Disorders, Humans, Problem Solving, Psychomotor Disorders

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