autism and attention Flashcards
What are the types of attention?
- Selective attention: Focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others.
- Sustained attention: Maintaining focus on a task over time.
- Divided attention: Handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Alternating attention: Shifting focus between tasks.
How does attention differ in autism?
- Selective attention: Hyperfocus on specific interests.
- Sustained attention: Difficulty maintaining focus on non-engaging tasks.
- Alternating attention: Challenges in shifting attention between tasks.
What is the “spiky profile” in autism?
A “spiky profile” refers to uneven cognitive abilities, where individuals show strengths in some areas (e.g., attention to detail) but significant challenges in others (e.g., shifting focus or multitasking).
What is the medical model diagnosis of autism?
The medical model sees autism as a disorder or condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated, focusing on deficits in behavior, communication, and social interaction. It emphasizes a clinical approach to managing symptoms.
What is the neurodiversity model diagnosis of autism?
The neurodiversity model views autism as a natural variation in human cognition and behavior, not a disorder. It focuses on embracing autistic traits as part of human diversity and emphasizes support rather than treatment.
What is selective attention, and how is it affected in autism?
Selective attention is the ability to focus on one stimulus while ignoring others. In autism, there may be hyperfocus on specific interests, making it difficult to shift attention to other stimuli.
What are the findings from traditional research on attention in autism?
- Ozonoff et al. (2000): Executive function deficits affecting attention.
- Keehn et al. (2013): Neural mechanisms of attention in autism.
- Happe & Frith (2006): Weak central coherence theory impacts attention and perception.
How does the dual-task paradigm measure attention in autism?
The dual-task paradigm involves performing two tasks at once to assess attention. Research shows that individuals with autism may struggle to shift focus between tasks but can have superior sustained attention.
What did Belmonte et al. (2010) find in dual-task research on autism?
They found that individuals with autism often have difficulty switching focus between tasks, indicating deficits in attentional control systems.
How does sensory overload impact attention in autism?
Sensory overload can interfere with the ability to shift attention between tasks, making dual-task performance challenging, as seen in research by Murray et al. (2022).
What is the change blindness paradigm used to study?
The change blindness paradigm tests the ability to notice subtle changes between images. It is used to study attention and perception, including how individuals with autism may respond to visual stimuli.
How does the change blindness paradigm apply to autism?
Research shows that individuals with autism may have differences in noticing changes, potentially due to variations in attention or visual processing.
What are “sticky attention” and “springy attention” in young autistic children?
- Sticky attention: Difficulty disengaging from a task or stimulus.
- Springy attention: Rapid switching of focus back and forth between tasks.
What are the findings from the study on attention in young autistic children (Dwyer et al., 2024)?
Children with autism showed higher levels of hyper-focus and sticky attention, but reduced springy attention. These patterns were linked to sensory behaviors and cognitive abilities.
What is hyperfocus in autism?
Hyperfocus is intense concentration on specific interests or tasks, often leading to high productivity and deep engagement, but it can make shifting attention difficult.
