The Mental imagery in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the level of mental imagery ability in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare it with that of typically developing children. Three core cognitive processes will be examined — generating, retaining and rotating mental images — to determine the nature and direction of any differences and reveal strengths and weaknesses in cognitive performance. The Kosslyn Test, a computer-based test, will be used on a research group consisting of 25 children, divided into two groups of 10 and 15 children respectively. These groups are matched by chronological age and intellectual level: the first group includes 10 children with ASD, and the second group includes 15 neurotypical children. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in image generation and mental rotation tasks, favouring the neurotypical children. This suggests that autistic children have a qualitative deficiency in their ability to create and manipulate mental images at the visual-spatial level. However, no significant differences were found in the task of retaining mental images.