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

Ahmad Abu-Akel; Renee R Testa; Harvey P Jones; Nola Ross; Efstratios Skafidas; Bruce Tonge; Christos Pantelis

Journal article

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

Ahmad Abu-Akel, Renee R Testa, Harvey P Jones, Nola Ross, Efstratios Skafidas, Bruce Tonge, Christos 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 schizo..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Christos Pantelis Author Psychiatry

Stan Skafidas Author Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Related Projects (3)

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP - PROF CHRISTOS PANTELIS

I have established and head the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre within the University of Melbourne. My university position is a research ch..

NEUROBIOLOGICAL 'RISK' AND 'RESILIENCE' BIOMARKERS OF SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

Mental disorders of childhood (schizotypal disorder, autism spectrum disorders) and adolescence (psychoses, schizophrenia) represent a major..

EMERGING MENTAL DISORDERS IN YOUNG PEOPLE: USING CLINICAL STAGING FOR PREDICTION, PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION

Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in Australia, especially for young people. We have developed a clinical staging model cover..

Grants

Awarded by NHMRC

Awarded by University of Melbourne

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.