ERIC Number: EJ777824
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Meaning and Dimensionality on Copying Accuracy in Individuals with Autism
Sheppard, Elizabeth; Ropar, Danielle; Mitchell, Peter
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v37 n10 p1913-1924 Nov 2007
Weak Central Coherence (Frith, 1989) predicts that, in autism, perceptual processing is relatively unaffected by conceptual analysis. Enhanced Perceptual Functioning (Mottron & Burack, 2001) predicts that the perceptual processing of those with autism is less influenced by conceptual analysis only when higher-level processing is detrimental to task performance. This research tested these theories using a copying task where one conceptual aspect enhances accuracy (meaningfulness) and another hinders it (three-dimensionality). Children and adolescents with and without autism copied meaningful and non-meaningful two-dimensional and three-dimensional line drawings. Drawing accuracy and strategy (global/local) were assessed. Participants with autism were less affected by dimensionality but not meaningfulness, apparently supporting EPF. Effects of dimensionality did not relate to drawing strategy, also contrary to WCC.
Descriptors: Autism, Cognitive Development, Coping, Cognitive Processes, Perceptual Impairments, Perception, Theories, Children, Adolescents, Comparative Analysis, Freehand Drawing, Geometric Concepts
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A