Abstract
This study examined the relationship between everyday repetitive behavior (primary symptoms of autism) and performance on neuropsychological tests of executive function and central coherence (secondary symptoms). It was hypothesized that the frequency and intensity of repetitive behavior would be positively correlated with laboratory measures of cognitive rigidity and weak central coherence. Participants included 19 individuals (ages 10-19) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD group) and 18 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls (TD group). There was partial support in the ASD group for the link between repetitive behavior and executive performance (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task). There was no support for a link between repetitive behavior and measures of central coherence (a Gestalt Closure test and the Embedded Figures Test). Further research on repetitive behaviors in autism may benefit from a focus on narrow behavioral and cognitive constructs rather than general categories.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 437-451 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Autism |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2007 |
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Keywords
- Autism
- Central coherence
- Executive function
- Repetitive behavior
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cite this
The relationship between executive functioning, central coherence, and repetitive behaviors in the high-functioning autism spectrum. / South, Mikle; Ozonoff, Sally J; Mcmahon, William M.
In: Autism, Vol. 11, No. 5, 09.2007, p. 437-451.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between executive functioning, central coherence, and repetitive behaviors in the high-functioning autism spectrum
AU - South, Mikle
AU - Ozonoff, Sally J
AU - Mcmahon, William M.
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - This study examined the relationship between everyday repetitive behavior (primary symptoms of autism) and performance on neuropsychological tests of executive function and central coherence (secondary symptoms). It was hypothesized that the frequency and intensity of repetitive behavior would be positively correlated with laboratory measures of cognitive rigidity and weak central coherence. Participants included 19 individuals (ages 10-19) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD group) and 18 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls (TD group). There was partial support in the ASD group for the link between repetitive behavior and executive performance (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task). There was no support for a link between repetitive behavior and measures of central coherence (a Gestalt Closure test and the Embedded Figures Test). Further research on repetitive behaviors in autism may benefit from a focus on narrow behavioral and cognitive constructs rather than general categories.
AB - This study examined the relationship between everyday repetitive behavior (primary symptoms of autism) and performance on neuropsychological tests of executive function and central coherence (secondary symptoms). It was hypothesized that the frequency and intensity of repetitive behavior would be positively correlated with laboratory measures of cognitive rigidity and weak central coherence. Participants included 19 individuals (ages 10-19) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD group) and 18 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls (TD group). There was partial support in the ASD group for the link between repetitive behavior and executive performance (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task). There was no support for a link between repetitive behavior and measures of central coherence (a Gestalt Closure test and the Embedded Figures Test). Further research on repetitive behaviors in autism may benefit from a focus on narrow behavioral and cognitive constructs rather than general categories.
KW - Autism
KW - Central coherence
KW - Executive function
KW - Repetitive behavior
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35448989820&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35448989820&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1362361307079606
DO - 10.1177/1362361307079606
M3 - Article
C2 - 17942457
AN - SCOPUS:35448989820
VL - 11
SP - 437
EP - 451
JO - Autism
JF - Autism
SN - 1362-3613
IS - 5
ER -