Cited by 36Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderDevelopmental and Educational Neuropsychology

Sluggish cognitive tempo in children and adolescents with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders: Social impairments and internalizing symptoms

Reinvall, Outi, Kujala, Teija, Voutilainen, Arja, Moisio, Anu‐Liisa, Lahti‐Nuuttila, Pekka, Laasonen, Marja·2017·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology

Abstract

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) was introduced in 1980s in the field of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies indicate that symptoms of SCT are separate from symptoms of ADHD and independently associated with multiple domains of functioning in clinical groups and in typical development. We assessed whether similar pattern would apply to higher functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Children with higher functioning ASD (N = 55; 5-15 years) were divided into the ASD+High SCT (n = 17), the ASD+Medium SCT (n = 18) and the ASD+Low SCT (n = 20) groups based on parent-rated daydreaming and slowness on the Five to Fifteen questionnaire (FTF). The groups were compared on SCT-related impairments found in previous studies: social skills, academic functioning, psychiatric symptoms, and processing speed. Assessment methods were the FTF, the Development and Well-Being Assessment, and the Coding subtest of the WISC-III. The ADHD symptoms were statistically controlled due to the overlap between SCT and ADHD. The ASD+High SCT and ASD+Medium SCT groups were significantly more likely to have the most pronounced social impairments, and the ASD+High SCT group had significantly higher rate of internalizing disorders compared to the ASD+Low SCT group. Our results suggest that children with higher functioning ASD and high or medium levels of SCT symptoms could be at higher risk for psychosocial impairments than children with higher functioning ASD with low levels of SCT symptoms. Co-occurring ADHD symptoms do not explain the finding. Recognizing SCT symptoms in higher functioning ASD would be important to targeting preventive support.

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Crossref · 10.1111/sjop.12379

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Authors
Reinvall, O., Kujala, T., Voutilainen, A., Moisio, A., Lahti‐Nuuttila, P., & Laasonen, M.
Affiliations
University of Helsinki (FI)
Corresponding author
Reinvall, Outi
Venue
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-08-16
Volume
58
Issue
5
Pages
389-399
ISSN
  • 0036-5564 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-9450
OpenAlex
W2749073634
Cited by
36
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2018: 3
FWCI
1.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Scandinavian Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
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
sluggish cognitive tempo, autism spectrum disorder, high-functioning autism, social dysfunction, internalizing problems, daydreaming, slowness, processing speed, academic functioning, ADHD comorbidity, children and adolescents, psychosocial impairment
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Mental Disorders, Child, Psychology, Child, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Neuropsychological Tests

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