Abstract
We present an overview of current literature addressing cognitive flexibility in autism spectrum disorders. Based on recent studies at multiple sites, using diverse methods and participants of different autism subtypes, ages and cognitive levels, no consistent evidence for cognitive flexibility deficits was found. Researchers and clinicians assume that inflexible everyday behaviors in autism are directly related to cognitive flexibility deficits as assessed by clinical and experimental measures. However, there is a large gap between the day-to-day behavioral flexibility and that measured with these cognitive flexibility tasks. To advance the field, experimental measures must evolve to reflect mechanistic models of flexibility deficits. Moreover, ecologically valid measures are required to be able to resolve the paradox between cognitive and behavioral inflexibility.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 74-82 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Trends in Cognitive Sciences |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2009 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Cite this
The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism. / Geurts, Hilde M.; Corbett, Blythe; Friedman, Marjorie Solomon.
In: Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 2, 02.2009, p. 74-82.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism
AU - Geurts, Hilde M.
AU - Corbett, Blythe
AU - Friedman, Marjorie Solomon
PY - 2009/2
Y1 - 2009/2
N2 - We present an overview of current literature addressing cognitive flexibility in autism spectrum disorders. Based on recent studies at multiple sites, using diverse methods and participants of different autism subtypes, ages and cognitive levels, no consistent evidence for cognitive flexibility deficits was found. Researchers and clinicians assume that inflexible everyday behaviors in autism are directly related to cognitive flexibility deficits as assessed by clinical and experimental measures. However, there is a large gap between the day-to-day behavioral flexibility and that measured with these cognitive flexibility tasks. To advance the field, experimental measures must evolve to reflect mechanistic models of flexibility deficits. Moreover, ecologically valid measures are required to be able to resolve the paradox between cognitive and behavioral inflexibility.
AB - We present an overview of current literature addressing cognitive flexibility in autism spectrum disorders. Based on recent studies at multiple sites, using diverse methods and participants of different autism subtypes, ages and cognitive levels, no consistent evidence for cognitive flexibility deficits was found. Researchers and clinicians assume that inflexible everyday behaviors in autism are directly related to cognitive flexibility deficits as assessed by clinical and experimental measures. However, there is a large gap between the day-to-day behavioral flexibility and that measured with these cognitive flexibility tasks. To advance the field, experimental measures must evolve to reflect mechanistic models of flexibility deficits. Moreover, ecologically valid measures are required to be able to resolve the paradox between cognitive and behavioral inflexibility.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.tics.2008.11.006
DO - 10.1016/j.tics.2008.11.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 19138551
AN - SCOPUS:59049091690
VL - 13
SP - 74
EP - 82
JO - Trends in Cognitive Sciences
JF - Trends in Cognitive Sciences
SN - 1364-6613
IS - 2
ER -