Neuropsychology Adolescents High Functioning Autism Working Memory Neuropsychologie Adolescenten Hoog Functionerend Autisme Werk geheugen
Conditions
Interventions
This study will be a case-control study.
Sponsors
Epilepsy Centre Kempenhaeghe, Heeze
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: For adolescents with HFA: 1. Age of 12 to 16 years; 2. Autism disorder or Asperger disorder diagnosis made conform the diagnosis criteria as formulated in the DSM-IV; 3. A signed informed consent (IC) from the adolescent and the parent/ caregiver; 4. A high average intelligence conform a HAVO/VWO education level. For normal control adolescents: 1. Age of 12 to 16 years; 2. A signed IC from the adolescent and the parent/ caregiver; 3. A high average intelligence conform a HAVO/VWO education level.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: For adolescents with HFA: 1. A diagnosis for other (co-morbid) psychological disorders or psychiatric diseases as formulated in the DSM-IV, such as: Attention-deficit and disruptive behaviour disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders; 2. Appearance of additional variables that can influence cognitive functioning such as pathology of the Central Nervous System (CNS), significant hearing impairment, and medicinal treatment for epilepsy; 3. Use of Methylphenidate. In consultation with the responsible doctor, parent/caregiver and adolescent are asked if they are willing to not take the medicine on the day of the neuropsychological assessment. If all agree, the adolescent may participate in the study; 4. Inability to speak/understand the Dutch language; 5. Vision less than +4.5D or – 4.5D. For normal control adolescents: 1. A diagnosis for a psychological disorder or psychiatric disease as formulated in the DSM-IV, such as: Pervasive developmental disorders, attention-deficit and disruptive behaviour disorders, separation anxiety disorders, selective mutism, reactive attachment disorder of infancy or early childhood, anxiety disorders and mood disorders; 2. Appearance of additional variables that can influence cognitive functioning such as pathology of the CNS, significant hearing impairment, and medicinal treatment for epilepsy; 3. Use of Methylphenidate. In consultation with the responsible doctor, parent/caregiver and adolescent are asked if they are willing not to take the medicine on the day of the neuropsychological assessment. If all agree, the adolescent may participate in the study; 4. Inability to speak/understand the Dutch language; 5. Vision less than +4.5D or – 4.5D.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The neuropsychological WM parameters and behavioural WM parameters as obtained by the neuropsychological tasks and the questionnaires. The endpoints for the neuropsychological tasks and behavioural data as obtained by the questionnaires are standardized (z-) scores. This all will be processed in terms of: 1. Correlation between neuropsychological test results, and behavioural questionnaires data results; 2. Differences between adolescents with HFA and normal controls. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The study parameters of the Delphi procedure are the answers of the experts on questionnaires. These questionnaires will be made on the basis of the results of the main study. The endpoints of this procedure are the mean scores of the final round of the experts’ forecasts. | — |
Contacts
Public ContactEvenlien M. Barendse
Postbus 61
Outcome results
None listed