title: Working memory arrest in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: results from a 2-year longitudinal study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the development of verbal working memory in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. A total of 34 children with high-functioning autism, 72 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and 45 typically developing children (age 9-16 years) were included at baseline and followed up approximately 25 months later. The children were given a letter/number sequencing task to assess verbal working memory. The performance of children with high-functioning autism on verbal working memory did not improve after 2 years, while improvement was observed in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. The results indicate a different developmental trajectory for verbal working memory in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. More research is needed to construct a developmental framework more suitable for children with autism spectrum disorder.
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway University of Oslo, Norway pernoan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Per N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Skogli
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kjell T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hovik
authors.affiliation: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Dr Leo Kannerhuis, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Geurts
authors.affiliation: Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egeland
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Øie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term
keywords: Asperger’s syndrome; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; autism spectrum disorder; development; pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified; working memory