Autobiographical Memory and Social Identity in Autism: Preliminary Results of Social Positioning and Cognitive Intervention

Abstract

Autobiographical memory (AM) is closely linked to the self-concept, and fulfills directive, identity, social, and adaptive functions. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are now known to have atypical AM, which may be closely associated with social communication difficulties. This may result in qualitatively different autobiographical narratives, notably regarding social identity. In the present study, we sought to investigate this concept and develop a cognitive intervention targeting individuals with ASD. First, 13 adolescents with ASD and 13 typically developing adolescents underwent an AM interview featuring an original coding system designed to analyze the social self. We observed that the narratives produced by the ASD group focused more on the family than on extended social spheres, compared with those of the comparison group. Moreover, participants with ASD did not include themselves in the social groups they mentioned, and produced more references to others, compared with typically developing participants. Second, we designed a cognitive intervention program consisting of individual and group sessions that targeted AM. We conducted a pilot study among three adolescents with ASD aged 12, 16, and 17 years. Preliminary results showed that the program increased extra-family narrative references by the two youngest adolescents, who produced more social integration markers. Our study of autobiographical narratives yielded interesting findings about social positioning in ASD and showed how AM can be targeted in rehabilitation programs as a vector of social interaction.

Suspected feigning of autism in adults: a clinician survey, indications and proposed guidelines

“…Neuropsychological assessments should ideally also include lesser known features such as with memory. Individuals with autism often display difficulties across a range of short-term memory and episodic long-term memory tasks (Desaunay et al , 2020), as well as with autobiographical memory tasks such as failing to include themselves in descriptions (Wantzen et al , 2021). However, if using a forced choice recognition memory test (a frequently used method in symptom validity assessments in neuropsychological examinations) such as the short face recognition memory test, the impact of any prosopagnosia (known to be possible within autism) will have to be considered (Stantić et al , 2021).…”

Me, Myself and My Insula: An Oasis in the Forefront of Self-Consciousness

“…The insula appears only as a secondary region of autobiographical memory in a healthy population [ 197 ]. However, autobiographical memory is impaired in psychiatric conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders associated with insular dysfunction, such as schizophrenia and ASD [ 198 , 199 ]. To our knowledge, there are no studies directly exploring the link between the insula and autobiographical memory.…”

Nature and Effects of Autobiographical Memory Issues in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…AM is essential for multiple personal and social functions – directive, social, and self-identity. 13 The directive function consists in using past experiences to guide present and future thoughts, actions, and behaviors, and to solve problems; the social function of AM makes it easier for individuals to initiate, develop, and maintain social interactions and relations through conversation, and the self-identity function of AM enables persons to develop a sense of continuity of themselves across time.…”