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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

01-11-2011 | Original Paper

Investigating Multitasking in High-Functioning Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using the Virtual Errands Task

Auteurs: Gnanathusharan Rajendran, Anna S. Law, Robert H. Logie, Marian van der Meulen, Diane Fraser, Martin Corley

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 11/2011

Abstract

Using a modified version of the Virtual Errands Task (VET; McGeorge et al. in Presence-Teleop Virtual Environ 10(4):375–383, 2001), we investigated the executive ability of multitasking in 18 high-functioning adolescents with ASD and 18 typically developing adolescents. The VET requires multitasking (Law et al. in Acta Psychol 122(1):27–44, 2006) because there is a limited amount of time in which to complete the errands. ANCOVA revealed that the ASD group completed fewer tasks, broke more rules and rigidly followed the task list in the order of presentation. Our findings suggest that executive problems of planning inflexibility, inhibition, as well as difficulties with prospective memory (remembering to carry out intentions) may lie behind multitasking difficulties in ASD.

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Titel: Investigating Multitasking in High-Functioning Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using the Virtual Errands Task
Auteurs: Gnanathusharan Rajendran
Anna S. Law
Robert H. Logie
Marian van der Meulen
Diane Fraser
Martin Corley
Publicatiedatum: 01-11-2011
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 11/2011
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1151-3

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