About this srcd poster session

---

Panel information
Panel 1. Attention, Learning, Memory

Abstract

---

Memory errors have serious every day, clinical, and forensic implications. Limited empirical research has investigated memory error differences between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical peers. Findings are mixed. Similar false memory susceptibility between children with ASD and neurotypical peers and less false memory susceptibility for children with ASD and neurotypical peers have both been observed. From a Fuzzy Trace theory perspective, resistance to false memories in children with ASD may be due to delayed gist-processing abilities. To explore potential memory error differences, the current study evaluated cued and free-recall in children with ASD compared to neurotypical peers on the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM; Deese, 1959). Across cued and free-recall, children with ASD were expected to be as accurate as neurotypical peers and to falsely recognize critical lures significantly less than neurotypical children.

Twenty-nine 4-7-year-olds (M =5.59, SD= 1.05) individually listened to 12 audio recordings of 15 words each. Each list has words (e.g. wheel, drive) converging on a theme (e.g., car), the critical lure, that is not presented. After each recording, children were instructed to say the words they heard. Once all lists were presented, children indicated whether they heard or did not hear each of 72 words (6 for each list; 3 true, 3 false one critical lure). True and false word order presentation was randomized. Previous studies demonstrate negative correlations in critical lure false recognition and age, with older children falsely recognizing critical lures more than younger. To account for potential age-related differences, analyses examined children across ages and divided between age groups (4-5- and 6-7-year-olds). The pattern of results were similar for response accuracy and cued-recall critical lures thus, are reported across age groups. Result pattern differences were observed between age groups in free-recall critical lures and inaccurate responses thus, are reported by age groups.

A series of independent samples t-tests revealed that neurotypical children provided significantly more true responses during free and cued-recall than children with ASD. Regarding free recall, neurotypical children recalled significantly more accurate words than children with ASD. Neurotypical 6-7-year-olds recalled significantly less inaccurate words and falsely recalled significantly more critical lures than peers with ASD. However, neurotypical 4-5-year-olds did not significantly differ from peers with ASD in inaccurate words or critical lures. On average, neurotypical children answered 59% of cued recall prompts accurately and children with ASD answered 47% accurately. However, neurotypical children did not significantly differ from children with ASD in critical lures endorsed.
Overall, results highlight that memory error differences between children with ASD and neurotypical peers differ as children age and begin using gist-based processing. Gist-based processing may aid neurotypical children in recalling more accurate, and less inaccurate words, while resulting in a higher propensity for gist-based errors. Memory error differences between neurotypical children and peers with ASD may center around gist-processing development in neurotypical children and potential delays in gist-processing in children with ASD resulting in more resistance to common gist-based memory errors.

Author information

Author	Role
Tori Dickensheets Holland, University of Texas At San Antonio	Presenting author
Monica Lawson, University of Texas at San Antonio	Non-presenting author

⇦ Back to session