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Implicit learning in individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2014

F. Foti*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Italy IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
F. De Crescenzo
Affiliation:
Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, ‘Children's Hospital Bambino Gesu’, Rome, Italy
G. Vivanti
Affiliation:
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
D. Menghini
Affiliation:
Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, ‘Children's Hospital Bambino Gesu’, Rome, Italy
S. Vicari
Affiliation:
Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, ‘Children's Hospital Bambino Gesu’, Rome, Italy
*
* Address for correspondence: Dr F. Foti, Department of Psychology, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy. (Email: francesca.foti@uniroma1.it)

Abstract

Background.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by social communication difficulties and behavioural rigidity. Difficulties in learning from others are one of the most devastating features of this group of conditions. Nevertheless, the nature of learning difficulties in ASDs is still unclear. Given the relevance of implicit learning for social and communicative functioning, a link has been hypothesized between ASDs and implicit learning deficit. However, studies that have employed formal testing of implicit learning in ASDs provided mixed results.

Method.

We undertook a systematic search of studies that examined implicit learning in ASDs using serial reaction time (SRT), alternating serial reaction time (ASRT), pursuit rotor (PR), and contextual cueing (CC) tasks, and synthesized the data using meta-analysis. A total of 11 studies were identified, representing data from 407 individuals with ASDs and typically developing comparison participants.

Results.

The results indicate that individuals with ASDs do not differ in any task considered [SRT and ASRT task: standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.71 to 0.36; PR task: SMD −0.34, 95% CI −1.04 to 0.36; CC task: SMD 0.27, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.60].

Conclusions.

Based on our synthesis of the existing literature, we conclude that individuals with ASDs can learn implicitly, supporting the hypothesis that implicit learning deficits do not represent a core feature in ASDs.

Information

Type
Review Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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