Abstract

This paper reviews evidence relating to memory in individuals with low-functioning autism and individuals with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism separately. For each group, behavioral evidence and evidence from studies of brain structure and function is reviewed, and interpretations of this evidence are discussed. There are important differences in the memory abilities of these two groups. We consider ways in which patterns of spared and impaired memory abilities may contribute to behavioral outcomes. In particular, we hypothesize that the memory profile of less able individuals could help to explain the language and intellectual impairments that distinguish lower-functioning and higher-functioning individuals.