Introduction

This chapter provides a brief overview of research on short-term and working memory function in autism. Our discussion first considers some of the general findings relating to memory performance in autism and then turns to the case of storage over the short term. The more complex case of working memory tasks where both processing and maintenance are necessary is then discussed.

Autism and memory

Early studies of people with autism described them as having good rote memory but impairments of higher-order memory functions requiring more elaborate processing or organization of materials (Hermelin & O'Connor, 1970). With the development of memory theory, research into the spared and impaired memory functions of individuals with autism has generated a more comprehensive, and more complex, picture.

Some studies have identified mnemonic abilities that are in the normal range. First, there is evidence that priming is unaffected in autism, at least in higher-functioning individuals (HFA; e.g. Bowler, Matthews & Gardiner, 1997). Another area of strength is cued recall, which appears preserved even in individuals with low-functioning autism (LFA; Boucher & Lewis, 1989; Boucher & Warrington, 1976; Tager-Flusberg, 1991). Recognition memory also seems to be in the normal range for relatively able autistic groups (Barth, Fein & Waterhouse, 1995; Minshew et al., 1992; Minshew et al., 1994); however, there is evidence of a deficit in those with global cognitive impairment (e.g. Boucher & Warrington, 1976). More recent studies suggest that this view of preserved recognition memory in HFA needs to be qualified.