Memory awareness for faces in individuals with autism

J Autism Dev Disord. 2010 Nov;40(11):1371-7. doi: 10.1007/s10803-010-0995-x.

Abstract

Little is known regarding metacognition in individuals with autism. Specifically, it is unclear how individuals with autism think about their own mental states. The current study assessed memory awareness during a facial recognition task. High-functioning children (M = 13.1 years, n = 18) and adults (M = 27.5 years, n = 16) with autism matched with typically developing children (M = 14.3 years, n = 13) and adults (M = 26.9 years, n = 15) were tested. Children with autism demonstrated less accurate memory awareness for faces and less reliable differentiation between their confidence ratings compared to typically developing children. Subtle impairments in memory awareness for faces were also evident in adults with autism. Results indicate that broader metacognitive deficits may exist in individuals with autism, possibly contributing to other known impairments.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Awareness*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Facial Expression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Recognition, Psychology
  • Visual Perception
  • Young Adult