title: Time-based and event-based prospective memory in autism spectrum disorder: the roles of executive function and theory of mind, and time-estimation.
abstract: Prospective memory (remembering to carry out an action in the future) has been studied relatively little in ASD. We explored time-based (carry out an action at a pre-specified time) and event-based (carry out an action upon the occurrence of a pre-specified event) prospective memory, as well as possible cognitive correlates, among 21 intellectually high-functioning children with ASD, and 21 age- and IQ-matched neurotypical comparison children. We found impaired time-based, but undiminished event-based, prospective memory among children with ASD. In the ASD group, time-based prospective memory performance was associated significantly with diminished theory of mind, but not with diminished cognitive flexibility. There was no evidence that time-estimation ability contributed to time-based prospective memory impairment in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK. david.williams@durham.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jarrold
mesh_terms: D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D009039:Motion Perception; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012016:Reference Values; D012193:Reversal Learning; D012718:Set, Psychology; D056345:Theory of Mind; D013998:Time Perception; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D018910:Video Games