A cognitive training intervention for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Liliana Carrieri, Nicola De Pisapia, Mor Nahum, Paola Venuti
We studied how neurocognitive training can improve cognitive skills and/or modify synaptic connections in autistics. Although plasticity is higher in children, recent studies have demonstrated that there can be modifications of structure and organisation in the adult brain too. This research is based on a longitudinal study of a sample of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged between 10 and 22 years. The study was divided into three distinct phases: the first and the third were assessment phases and in the second phase we used a digital platform, whose protocol was made up of 10 games. Every day participants had to play 3 different games at home; each game consisted of a baseline and levels. The study lasted 38 days in total, excluding weekends. The results from the comparison of the pre and post training averages showed a general improvement among the tasks, with particular improvements in memory tasks, persevering and understanding of emotions. The difference in learning between high functioning (HF)/low functioning (LF) autism and age was also investigated.
Keywords
Cognitive training, Autism Spectrum Disorders, executive functions, brain plasticity, emotions.