scholarly journals Weak central coherence is a syndrome of autism spectrum disorder during teacher–learner task instructions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petronella S. de Jager ◽  
Janet Condy
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Weak Central Coherence ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Task Instructions

scholarly journals Challenging Weak Central Coherence: A Brief Exploration of Neurological Evidence from Visual Processing and Linguistic Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 136-143
Author(s):  
Jessica Scher Lisa ◽  
Eric Shyman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Weak Central Coherence ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Visuospatial Processing ◽  
Neuro Imaging

Previous theories have attempted to locate the root cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in terms of a typical central cognitive processes. However, the field of neuroscience is increasingly finding structural and functional differences between autistic and neuro-typical individuals using neuro-imaging technology which either support or challenge earlier cognitive theories. One main area upon which this research has focused is in visuospatial processing, with specific attention to the notion of “weak central coherence” (WCC), which refers to the tendency of individuals with ASD to be unable to interpret “global” information while hyper-focusing on local information. The current paper offers a brief review of findings from selected studies in order to explore available research that challenges the “deficit” characterization of a WCC theory as opposed to a “superiority” characterization of a strong local coherence.

Understanding Cognition and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-86
Author(s):  
Alice M. Hammel ◽  
Ryan M. Hourigan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Joint Attention ◽  
Music Cognition ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Students With Autism

One of the most unique attributes of students with autism is the distinct way they think. This chapter sheds light on the cognitive world of students with autism in the music classroom. The following topics are included: theory of mind; central coherence; executive function; joint attention (and cognition); and music cognition and students with autism.

Blended cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with panic disorder co-morbid with autism spectrum disorder: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayo Hamatani ◽  
Kazuki Matsumoto ◽  
Yukihiko Shirayama
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Visual Aid

Abstract Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for improving anxiety symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, some patients with ASD take extra time for learning, and they can find it hard to change their thinking styles and behaviour due to cognitive deficits. The therapist must be creative when implementing CBT in this context. Here, it may be helpful for the patient with ASD to understand CBT’s concepts by using visual aid material. Blended CBT during which the patient is shown visual aid material with his or her therapist has been suggested as effective for adults without ASD to reduce anxiety. Blended CBT combines face-to-face treatment with internet guided support and resource. Blended CBT may facilitate an understanding of essential knowledge and help people with ASD and anxiety acquire skills based on cognitive behavioural science. However, as far as we know, no previous studies have reported on the use of blended CBT for patients with panic disorder co-morbid with ASD. This study, therefore, consecutively performed 16 blended CBT sessions on a biweekly basis to treat panic disorder (PD) in an adolescent Japanese female co-morbid with ASD. The patient exhibited improvements in PD symptoms and agoraphobia after treatment: the Panic Disorder Severity Scale score decreased from 18 to 2. These results indicate that visual aid-assisted treatment may help patients with impaired imagination and social cognition related to ASD. Furthermore, this study’s therapist notes the need for paced treatments and repeated psychoeducation for patients with impairments in central coherence and cognitive flexibility. Key learning aims (1) Blended CBT may patients with panic disorder (PD) co-morbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to understand concepts based on cognitive behavioural science and symptoms. (2) Blended CBT sessions can each be conducted in approximately 20 min (about one-third of the time needed for typical 45- to 90-min CBT sessions); in other words, it is less burdensome for the patient and therapist. (3) How to adjust blended CBT for those who have low average intelligence quotients (IQ) and/or ASD.

Self-reported motivations for offending by autistic sexual offenders

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy-Louise Payne ◽  
Katie Maras ◽  
Ailsa J Russell ◽  
Mark J Brosnan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Relationship Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Effective Interventions

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder estimated to have elevated prevalence in forensic populations (approximately 4.5%). It has been suggested that offenders with autism spectrum disorder engage more frequently in crimes against the person and sexual offences than other types of offences such as property, driving and drug offences. To date little is empirically known about the reasons why autistic individuals engage in sexual offences, yet understanding the motivation(s) for offending are key to developing and implementing effective interventions to help reduce both initial offending and also re-offending. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic sexual offenders in prisons and probation services across England and Wales. Thematic analyses revealed five main themes (social difficulties, misunderstanding, sex and relationship deficits, inadequate control and disequilibrium). Analyses indicated that social skills difficulties, lack of perspective/weak central coherence, misunderstanding the seriousness of their behaviours and a lack of appropriate relationships were the main reasons for offending reported by this group of autistic sexual offenders. Findings highlight a need to develop sex and relationship education interventions which are tailored to the needs of autistic individuals, to address both their reported reasons for offending and their reported lack of sexual knowledge and awareness.

Emotional contagion in children with autism spectrum disorder varies with stimulus familiarity and task instructions

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 383-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly S. Helt ◽  
Deborah A. Fein ◽  
Jacob E. Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Contagious Yawning ◽  
Task Instructions ◽  
Children With Asd

AbstractAlthough deficits in cognitive empathy are well established in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the literature on emotional empathy, or emotional contagion, in individuals with ASD is sparse and contradictory. The authors tested susceptibility to contagious yawning and laughter in children with ASD (n = 60) and typically developing (TD) children (n = 60), ages 5–17 years, under various conditions, to elucidate factors that may affect emotional contagion in these populations. Although TD children showed equal amounts of emotional contagion across conditions, children with ASD were highly influenced by the familiarity of the target stimulus, as well as task instructions that encourage eye gaze to target. More specifically, children with ASD exhibited less contagious yawning and laughter than their TD peers except when their attention was explicitly directed to the eyes or (and even more so) when their parents served as the stimulus targets. The authors explore the implications of these findings for theories about the mechanisms underlying empathic deficits in ASD as well as the clinical implications of having parents involved in treatment.

Lack of mental flexibility as endophenotype in autism spectrum disorder and obsessive comulsive disorder families

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 970-970
Author(s):  
V. Goussé ◽  
A. Hagi ◽  
J.-L. Stilgenbauer ◽  
R. Delorme
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
First Degree Relatives

IntroductionResults from clinical and molecular genetic studies suggest that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) could have a shared pattern of heritability. Among a large number of clinical variables evaluated, obsessive compulsive/repetitive behaviors have been found to be highly correlated among autism probands and their relatives. Empirical evidence from neuropsychological studies suggest that an appropriate model for repetitive behaviours is a deficit of executive functions specifically flexibility. Given the lack of flexibility observed in ASD and OCD probands, we hypothesised that it could represent a shared endophenotype in both families.MethodsSeven cognitive tests belonging to executive functions, central coherence and theory of mind were proposed to 58 unaffected first-degree relatives of probands with ASD and 61 unaffected first-degree relatives of OCD patients and compared with 34 healthy controls. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed.ResultsASD relatives - specifically mothers - performed significantly worse on all the tests than OCD relatives and controls. Moreover, inside the OCD group, female individuals performed significantly worse than males. Finally, the PCA indicate that the cognitive profiles of the ASD relatives and the OCD relatives were similar but distinct from controls.ConclusionLack of cognitive flexibility is observed in ASD and OCD families and might constitute a shared intermediate cognitive phenotype. Our study constitutes an effort to clarify the relationship between ASD and OCD having implications for our nosological understanding of both disorders.

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