A study of short-term nonverbal visual memory in high-functioning autistic children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychiatry, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.

2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Art, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.

Abstract

Background:- Visual memory in children with high-functioning autism (HFA) is an area of debate, as few studies have examined visual memory in those children, the memory profile appears to vary, according to the memory process and type of stimuli, contrasting results may be found, also, it was found that selective impairment in visual memory may not affect cognitive system. The aim of the study is to compare the visual short-term nonverbal memory (visual–spatial memory, visual memory of shapes/numbers, visual memory of shapes/letters, and total) function deficits between children with HFA and typically developing control. Procedure:- The study was done to 40 HFA children with autism (mean age 10.3) and children were matched to 40 healthy controls (mean age 9.5), aged 812 years old, also, Raven’s Progressive Matrices Scale IQ score took part in the study. Associative and recognition (shapes/numbers) (shapes/letters) memory as well as visual–spatial short-term memory (STM) were assessed by Short Term Nonverbal Visual Memory Assessment scale. Results:- The resulting profile of STM abilities in the children with HFA was significantly less and revealed poor memory for visual–spatial memory, shape/letter, shape/number, and the total visual memory scored more than normal children (P<0.001 for each). Conclusions:- It is suggested that nonverbal visual STM deficit was a characteristic finding of HFA, so autism-spectrum disorder children need supportive memory programs for visual memory to help them to integrate well in usual educational programs.

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