Stress and Mental Flexibility in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Authors

  • William S. Stone, PhD
  • Lisa Iguchi, PhD

Keywords:

stress and mental, flexibility, autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Cognitive deficits are well-established core features in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this paper, we review representative studies on cognitive flexibility, which is one type of neuropsychological weakness that is often related to repetitive and restricted clinical symptoms in ASD. We also review effects of stress in both typically developing individuals and in individuals with ASD, to show the importance of this factor in modulating relationships between cognitive inflexibility and clinical symptoms related reflecting inflexibility, such as repetitive and restricted behaviors. Finally, we present three case vignettes involving higher functioning individuals to illustrate some of these relationships in individuals, and to suggest the utility of clinical interventions.

 [N A J Med Sci. 2013;6(3):145-153.   DOI:  10.7156/najms.2013.0603145]

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1.
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4. Bowler DM, Gaigg SB, Gardiner JM. Effects of related and unrelated context on recall and recognition by adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychologia. 2008;46(4):993-999.
5. Bowler DM, Gaigg SB, Gardiner JM. Free recall learning of hierarchically organised lists by adults with Asperger's syndrome: additional evidence for diminished relational processing. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009;39(4):589-595.
6. Cahill L, Gorski L, Le K. Enhanced human memory consolidation with post-learning stress: interaction with the degree of arousal at encoding. Learn Mem. 2003;10(4):270-274.
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Published

2013-07-30

How to Cite

Stone, PhD, W. S., & Iguchi, PhD, L. (2013). Stress and Mental Flexibility in Autism Spectrum Disorders. North American Journal of Medicine and Science, 6(3). Retrieved from https://www.najms.com/index.php/najms/article/view/225

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Section

Case Report