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Autism Spectrum Conditions are typified by a divergence in cognitive style from that of the non-autistic population. Cognitive differences in autism may underlie significant strengths, but also increase vulnerability to psychopathology such as anxiety, which is a major problem for many autistic people. Many autistic people also do not respond to typical psychotherapeutic interventions, suggesting that autism-specific models and interventions are needed. We advance a theoretical model explaining how three constructs, attenuated predictions, intolerance of uncertainty, and 'black and white thinking', may interact to lead to anxiety in autism. We hope to start a dialogue surrounding how we can best address specific autistic cognitive differences that may lead to distress by developing appropriate models, measurements, and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.014

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trends Cogn Sci

Publication Date

07/2021

Volume

25

Pages

571 - 581

Keywords

anxiety, autism, black and white thinking, cognition, intolerance of uncertainty, predictive processing, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Cognition, Humans