Prospective memory and executive functions in adults across the wider autistic spectrum.

This study looked at 'prospective memory' - remembering to do things in the future (like taking medication or attending appointments) - in autistic adults. Researchers found that autistic adults had more difficulty with this type of memory compared to non-autistic adults. Planning skills were especially important for remembering future tasks in both groups. The researchers suggest practical supports like calendars, to-do lists, or apps could help autistic people manage daily tasks better.

This controlled study compared prospective memory (PM) - the ability to remember future intentions - between 30 autistic and 30 non-autistic adults matched for age, gender, and non-verbal abilities. Participants completed event-based PM tasks and executive function assessments measuring planning, inhibition, and generativity. Results showed non-autistic adults performed significantly better on PM tasks than autistic participants. Executive functioning skills, particularly planning abilities, strongly predicted PM performance in both groups.

The findings confirm previous research demonstrating reduced PM in autism and highlight the critical relationship between executive functions and prospective memory abilities across the autism spectrum.

Findings suggest autistic individuals may benefit from targeted interventions addressing prospective memory difficulties, particularly through planning skills training and external memory supports like calendars, to-do lists, or assistive technologies to improve daily functioning and independence.

Single study design limits generalizability. Sample size of 30 per group is relatively small. Abstract doesn't specify methodology details or effect sizes. Study type not clearly identified, limiting interpretation of research design quality.

Prospective memory (PM) refers to the cognitive ability of remembering to execute an intended action in the future. Empirical evidence indicates reduced PM performance in autistic individuals. This study aimed to explore PM performance across the wider autistic spectrum, including individuals with diverse cognitive profiles, and to investigate the impact of executive functions on PM. Thirty autistic and 30 non-autistic adults (18-65 years), matched for age, gender and non-verbal abilities, took part in the study.

Participants completed an event-based PM task, and three executive function tasks measuring planning, inhibition and generativity abilities. Overall, non-autistic adults performed better in the event-based PM task in comparison to autistic participants. Better executive functioning was associated with better event-based PM performance in both groups; the completion time of the planning task significantly predicted PM performance. Results confirm earlier findings of lower PM performance in autistic individuals and close links of executive functions and PM.

Considering the significant impact of PM on day-to-day life, future studies should develop practical interventions to support PM (e.g., targeted training in planning abilities, the use of agendas, to-do lists or assistive technologies), especially for autistic individuals who are dependent on external aid.