Brief Report: Testing the Impairment of Initiation Processes Hypothesis in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

In the present study we aim at providing further evidences for the validity of an initiation processes impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We applied different verbal fluency tasks designed to decrease or enhance this limitation. A group of high-functioning individuals with ASD and a group of typically developed individuals matched for -age, -IQ and -education, were tested in three verbal fluency tasks. In task 1, we replicated previous findings of an initiation impairment. In tasks 2 and 3, with simple manipulations, we observed that the differences between the groups were respectively eliminated or enhanced. We have not only provided further evidence of impairments in the initiation of a response, but we remarkably show how to circumvent them.

“No Way Out Except From External Intervention”: First-Hand Accounts of Autistic Inertia

“…The ease with which participants could be derailed from an activity may suggest a weakness in working memory or high distractibility. Those who experienced problems with sequencing a task benefitted from help finding the first step, which is consistent with experimental research finding an initiation-specific executive function impairment that could be overcome by providing the first step ( Carmo et al, 2017 ). Prior research has investigated executive functioning deficits in autism, but our research is unique in considering this from an autistic perspective in an ecological context, which highlights the profound impact on accomplishing tasks in everyday life.…”

“…Autistic people are also found to have impaired prospective memory, i.e., remembering to do something later. Providing a cue or initial step has been found to reduce initiation-specific deficits ( Williams et al, 2014 ; Carmo et al, 2017 ). Social interaction may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of initiation impairments because it is variable and unpredictable, calling on a variety of high level flexible cognitive processes ( Riggs et al, 2006 ).…”

"No way out except from external intervention": First-hand accounts of autistic inertia

“…The ease with which they could be derailed from an activity may suggest a weakness in working memory or high distractibility. Those who experienced problems with sequencing a task benefitted from help finding the first step, which is consistent with experimental research finding an initiation-specific executive function impairment (Carmo et al, 2017). Prior research has investigated executive functioning deficits in autism, but our research is unique in considering this from an autistic perspective in an ecological context, which highlights the profound impact on accomplishing tasks in everyday life.…”

Autism and Moral Responsibility: Executive Function, Reasons Responsiveness, and Reasons Blockage

“…Contra Russo, et al, autists' comparatively high repetition of previously given answers seems to point toward inhibition difficulties. [15] In a study by Carmo, et al, [31] autists produced fewer words at the start of verbal fluency tasks compared to neurotypical controls, with production converging as the tests progressed. Carmo, et al found that this difference was not present when an Binitial word cue^was given, supporting their Bimpairment of initiation hypothesis^ [31] about autism.…”

“…However, challenged cognitive flexibility might interfere with A's ability to compare the consequences of competing potential actions. Initiation (getting going, as described by Carmo, et al [31]) could also be a factor.…”