Attentional set-shifting and social abilities in children with schizotypal and comorbid autism spectrum disorders

A Abu-Akel; RR Testa; HP Jones; N Ross; E Skafidas; B Tonge; C Pantelis

Journal article

Attentional set-shifting and social abilities in children with schizotypal and comorbid autism spectrum disorders

A Abu-Akel, RR Testa, HP Jones, N Ross, E Skafidas, B Tonge, C Pantelis

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD | Published : 2018

DOI: 10.1177/0004867417708610

Abstract

Objective: While diagnostically independent, autism and schizotypal disorders can co-occur. Their concurrent impact on outcomes and phenotypes has not been investigated. We investigated the impact of comorbid autism and schizotypal disorders in children on executive functioning and socio-pragmatic skills – core features of both disorders. Method: Executive functioning (assessed with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) and socio-pragmatic skills (assessed using the Melbourne Assessment of Schizotypy in Kids) were investigated in a total of 67 (6–12 year old) children with autism (n = 15; M/F = 10/5), schizotypal disorder (n = 8; M/F = 5/3) and comorbid autism and schizoty..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Stan Skafidas Author

Christos Pantelis Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

Christos Pantelis was supported by a NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship (IDs: 628386, 1105825). The work was supported by University of Melbourne - Research Grant Support Scheme (ID: 1452755) and Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre at The University of Melbourne. All authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to this work.