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Attentional performance of young children with autism spectrum disorders

Attentional abnormalities are one of the earliest signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Despite flourishing attention studies in autism, relatively little is known about attentional performance among young children with high-functioning autism (HFA). The present study compared 23 preschool children with HFA and 28 typically-developing children on attention network efficiencies, selective attention to social or non-social information and attention switching, with age, cognitive and language abilities matched or controlled. Compared with typically-developing children, young children with HFA showed comparative attention network efficiencies, slower orienting to face and better attention switching. Alternative explanations for their strength in attention switching are given based on superior focused attention to visual details and hyper-systemizing skills. Implications on future research and practice are discussed. / published_or_final_version / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:HKU/oai:hub.hku.hk:10722/209693
Date January 2014
CreatorsLo, Lai-man, 盧麗雯
PublisherThe University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
Source SetsHong Kong University Theses
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypePG_Thesis
RightsThe author retains all proprietary rights, (such as patent rights) and the right to use in future works., Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License
RelationHKU Theses Online (HKUTO)

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