Autism as a disorder of complex information processing

Abstract

Numerous neurobehavioral models for autism have been proposed in the decades since a neurologic origin gained acceptance. Research related to these models has resulted in substantial progress in the characterization of the neurocognitive basis of autism. The culmination of considerable research has resulted in support for a neurobehavioral model of autism as a disorder of complex information processing systems. This is a multiple primary cognitive deficit model proposing that the pattern of deficits within and across domains in autism is a reflection of complex information processing demands. This article will first provide an overview of the evolution of neurobehavioral models in autism and then present findings leading to the conceptualization of this model for autism.