Stress and Mental Flexibility in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract: 

William S. Stone, PhD;* Lisa Iguchi, PhD

Cognitive deficits are well-established core features in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this paper, we review representative studies on cognitive flexibility, which is one type of neuropsychological weakness that is often related to repetitive and restricted clinical symptoms in ASD. We also review effects of stress in both typically developing individuals and in individuals with ASD, to show the importance of this factor in modulating relationships between cognitive inflexibility and clinical symptoms related reflecting inflexibility, such as repetitive and restricted behaviors. Finally, we present three case vignettes involving higher functioning individuals to illustrate some of these relationships in individuals, and to suggest the utility of clinical interventions.

Key Words: stress and mental, flexibility, autism spectrum disorders

William S. Stone, PhD;* Lisa Iguchi, PhD
Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
*Corresponding Author: Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215.
(Email: wstone@bidmc.harvard.edu)

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.

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