Evaluation of a visual cognitive style in autism: A cluster analysis

Overview & Synopsis

Cognitive style refers to how individuals perceive their environment, remember infor-mation, and solve problems. Among the various cognitive styles documented, verbal and visu-al styles, including object versus spatial cognition, have been widely studied. "Thinking in pictures" is often associated with autism and is characterized by enhanced performance, au-tonomy, and the role of certain perceptual areas. This study aimed to characterize the cogni-tive style of individuals with autism, focusing on the possibility of a visual "thinking in pic-tures" style. We assessed 43 adults with autism and 42 control participants using the Object Spatial Imagery Verbal Questionnaire (OSIVQ) to evaluate three dimensions of their cognitive style: visual object, visual spatial, and verbal. Using a cluster analysis, we identified cognitive style profiles based on OSIVQ sub-scores. We then examined manifestations of cognitive style within these profiles, including mental imagery abilities assessed with the Mental Rotation Test (MRT), the vividness of mental images measured by the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), language abilities assessed with the Mill Hill vocabulary test, and syn-esthetic experiences. Our results revealed three distinct cognitive profiles: a visual profile characterized by significant mental imagery (object and spatial) and vivid mental images, a visuo-spatial profile associated with strong abilities to manipulate mental images in space but lower vividness of mental images, and a verbal profile with lower spatial imagery and manipulation abilities. There were no differences in vocabulary abilities among the profiles. While all three profiles were observed in individuals with autism, the visual cognitive profile was the most common. Additionally, we found synesthesia to be significantly more prevalent in the autistic popula-tion compared to the typical population. Overall, this study confirms that, while not exclusive, a visual cognitive style is prevalent among autistic individuals.