01-10-2005 | Uitgave 5/2005
The Effect of Concurrent Task Load on Stimulus Over-Selectivity
- Tijdschrift:
-
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
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Uitgave 5/2005
- Auteurs:
- Phil Reed, Evelyn Gibson
Abstract
Stimulus over-selectivity is a phenomenon displayed by individuals with autism, and has been implicated as a basis for many autistic-spectrum symptoms. In four experiments, non-autistic adult participants were required to learn a simple discrimination using picture cards, and then were tested for the emergence of stimulus over-selectivity, both with and without a concurrent task. Greater stimulus over-selectivity was noted when participants completed the concurrent task. The results are discussed in relation to the implications for the development of a model of memory deficits in autism.