Work

Does Ongoing Task Load Influence Prospective Remembering in Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Prospective memory (PM) refers to the cognitive ability to remember to carry out intended actions in the future. The present study investigated PM performance in autistic and non-autistic adults as well as the impact of the cognitive load of the ongoing task on PM performance. A total of 50 autistic individuals and 51 age- and non-verbal ability-matched non-autistic individuals completed an event-based PM task, which was embedded into an ongoing n-back task. The cognitive load of the n-back task was varied (2- vs. 3-back for low versus high cognitive load). Results showed that autistic participants did not differ from non-autistic participants in their PM performance. The cognitive load of the ongoing task had no impact on event-based PM performance in both groups. This is the first study to investigate the impact of ongoing task load on event-based PM performance in autistic adults. The results support the neurodiversity perspective of ASD as a highly heterogeneous population which is not necessarily characterized by reduced PM performance.

Source: Autism Research

DOI: 10.1002/aur.70285

Authors: Daniela Nürnberg, Mareike Altgassen

Institution: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Functions and Memory

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,740