Automatic and controlled processing and the Broad Autism Phenotype

• Those with the Broad Autism Phenotype demonstrated weaknesses in controlled processing skills as assessed by a verbal fluency task.
• Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated the construct validity of controlled and automatic processing strategies as assessed by this task.
• Correlation and regression analyses additionally suggested those with the BAP did not use controlled processing strategies in a known area of strength (visual-constructional skills) but did use controlled processing in an area of weakness (Pragmatic Language).
• These results may help explain equivocal findings related to executive function in the BAP as well as further understand the processing weaknesses in the autism population.

Research related to verbal fluency in the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) is limited and dated, but generally suggests intact abilities in the context of weaknesses in other areas of executive function (Hughes et al., 1999, Wong et al., 2006 and Delorme et al., 2007). Controlled processing, the generation of search strategies after initial, automated responses are exhausted (Spat, 2013), has yet to be investigated in the BAP, and may be evidenced in verbal fluency tasks. One hundred twenty-nine participants completed the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System Verbal Fluency test (D-KEFS; Delis et al., 2001) and the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ; Hurley et al., 2007). The BAP group (n=53) produced significantly fewer total words during the 2nd 15ʺ interval compared to the Non-BAP (n=76) group. Partial correlations indicated similar relations between verbal fluency variables for each group. Regression analyses predicting 2nd 15ʺ interval scores suggested differentiation between controlled and automatic processing skills in both groups. Results suggest adequate automatic processing, but slowed development of controlled processing strategies in the BAP, and provide evidence for similar underlying cognitive constructs for both groups. Controlled processing was predictive of Block Design score for Non-BAP participants, and was predictive of Pragmatic Language score on the BAPQ for BAP participants. These results are similar to past research related to strengths and weaknesses in the BAP, respectively, and suggest that controlled processing strategy use may be required in instances of weak lower-level skills.

Between group differences in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency scaled scores reflecting controlled processing weaknesses.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (65 K)Download as PowerPoint slide