Multitasking in HF-ASD using the Virtual Errands Task 1 Investigating multitasking in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders using the Virtual Errands Task In press, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Using a modified version of the Virtual Errands Task (VET; McGeorge et al., 2001), we investigated the executive ability of multitasking in 18 high-functioning adolescents with ASD and 18 typically developing adolescents. The VET requires multitasking (Law, Logie & Pearson, 2006) because there is a limited amount of time in which to complete the errands. ANCOVA revealed that the ASD group completed fewer tasks, broke more rules and rigidly followed the task list in the order of presentation. Our findings suggest that executive problems of planning inflexibility, inhibition, as well as difficulties with prospective memory (remembering to carry out intentions) may lie behind multitasking difficulties in ASD.