ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of autism, as in known today, has a history with several vicissitudes. Contemporary students and practitioners unconnected with its history are unlikely to see the larger picture. This article seeks to outline the timeline of autism before narrowing it into various controversial themes, unresolved issues, and unanswered questions on autism. The themes revolve around the disputed construct of autism, its meaning, definition, characteristics, theories, and official classifications. Equally debated are matters related to epidemiology, causes, and treatments for autism. There is disagreement whether autism is a disorder or a difference. The claims of freaks, exceptional prodigies, and savants in autism, the role of genetics, notions of posthumous diagnosis, commercialization, and commodification of autism in the media are raised. Raising controversies can lead to constructive discussion or further reflection than attempting to answer them.
ABSTRACT
Background: Very few studies have attempted to investigate working memory (WM) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). This study seeks to profile WM in children with NDD against their matched, typically developing children (TDC), all belonging to high socioeconomic status (SES) families. Secondary assessment of gender differences, if any, was also attempted. Profile analysis of certain domains in neuropsychological and behavioural functioning for the children is delineated. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional 2-group comparison design by drawing a purposive sample of 84 children (42 in each group of NDD and TDC) in 6 to 8 years from across Bangalore city, India. We recruited the groups by matching them on intelligence, developmental skills, and SES. Assessment of WM was using verbal and visual n-back and spatial span tasks. Results: The study depicted significant differences between the children of the groups in accuracy scores for the tasks. Errors from the n-back tasks showed significant differences, mostly in omission errors. We reported effect size and the probability of superior (PS) outcomes. We did not observe gender differences in the NDD group. Although, we have highlighted differences in profiles of neuropsychological and behavior functions between the groups. Discussion: This dwells on the aspects that might have caused WM's observed deficits and explains the differences in these children's neuropsychological and behavior profiles. Conclusion: WM differs significantly between children with NDD and TDC. However, we have not found differences in WM performance and gender in the NDD group.