INTACT AND IMPAIRED MEMORY FUNCTIONS IN AUTISM

This study examined memory functions in individuals with autism. Based on previous evidence of executive function (EF) deficits, we hypothes ized that subjects with autism would demonstrate a pattern of intact a nd impaired memory functions similar to that found in other groups wit h EF deficits, such as patients with frontal lobe pathology. We compar ed the performance of high-functioning children and adolescents with a utism (n = 19) and clinical comparison subjects (n = 19) matched on se x, CA, and VIQ on measures of memory and EF. The group with autism per formed significantly worse than comparison subjects on measures of tem poral order memory, source memory, supraspan free recall, working memo ry, and EF, but not on short- and long-term recognition, cued recall, or new learning ability, consistent with the predictions of the EF the ory. The cognitive measures were significantly more intercorrelated in the autism group than the comparison group, consistent with a limit i n central cognition.