Brief report: cognitive processing of own emotions in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder and in their relatives.
Difficulties in the cognitive processing of emotions--including difficulties identifying and describing feelings--are assumed to be an integral part of autism. We studied such difficulties via self-report in 27 high-functioning adults with autistic spectrum disorders, their biological relatives (n = 49), and normal adult controls (n = 35), using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The individuals with autism spectrum disorders were significantly more impaired in their emotion processing and were more depressed than those in the control and relative groups.
Hill
Elisabeth
E
Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, United Kingdom. e.hill@gold.ac.uk
Berthoz
Sylvie
S
Frith
Uta
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires