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.
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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1151-3
- Authors
- Gnanathusharan Rajendran, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, 40 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1QE Scotland, UK
- Anna S. Law, School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, England, UK
- Robert H. Logie, Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Marian van der Meulen, Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Diane Fraser, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, 40 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1QE Scotland, UK
- Martin Corley, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257