Level of functioning in Autism associated with self-processing ability: Evidence from an ownership paradigm

Background It has been argued that 'the self' is at the heart of social cognition, with an understanding of 'self' anchored within Theory of Mind - TOM (i.e. simulation theory). Self-concept is reported to be atypical in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is referred to as the absent-self hypothesis. Currently however, there are discrepancies in the ASD literature with some research reporting intact self-processing and others reporting impaired self-processing. The current study examined self-processing biases in a group of children with ASD by applying a more developmentally appropriate ownership paradigm. Method A 3x2 mixed design was applied with the independent variables being Group (3 levels: ASD, CA, VA) and the dependent variables being Memory (2 levels: Self, Other). The ASD group (N=18) were compared to a group of typical children matched on chronological age (N=18) and a group matched on verbal mental ability (N=18). Pairs of children (4-15 years) sorted 56 picture cards depicting a range of different toys into self- and other-owned sets. Results A mixed ANOVA showed a significant memory advantage for self-owned items regardless of participant group F (1,48) = 12.53, p