Study of the Personal Identity in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Deficiency

The research aims at clarifying the impact of autism on personal identity in adulthood. Two studies will be made in order to compare adults with autistic spectrum disorders without intellectual deficiency and controls. In the first study (Study A), the investigators will ask subjects to tell autobiographical memories and to specify their characteristics by answering focused questions. In the second study (Study B), the investigators will ask subjects to say the self statements which define them. Then, subjects will have to tell and to specify the characteristics of the autobiographical memories linked to these self statements.

Introduction:

Autism associates impairments in social relationships and specific competencies linked to restricted interests. These interests usually focus on mathematics, drawings or foreign language learning and are very significant in the autobiographies of persons with autism without intellectual deficiency. It's seem to be a basement of their self-identity. The personal identity relies on both the self representations and the sense of self. This sense of self supports the self continuity through time which links the present feelings, the autobiographical memories and the future personals projects. The personal identity depends on the memory of life events called "autobiographical memory."

Objectives:

The research aims at clarifying the impact of autism on personal identity in adulthood. Two studies will be made in order to compare adults with autistic spectrum disorders without intellectual deficiency and controls. In the first study (Study A), the investigators will ask subjects to tell autobiographical memories and to specify their characteristics by answering focused questions. In the second study (Study B), the investigators will ask subjects to say the self statements which define them. Then, subjects will have to tell and to specify the characteristics of the autobiographical memories linked to these self statements.

Expected Results:

The first study will inform the investigators on the sense of self and self continuity through time. The investigators predict that it would be difficult for subjects with autism spectrum disorders to give details of their life events. The focused questions should make easier the recollection of the memories. The investigators hypothesize that the memories linked to the typically autistic restricted interests would be more detailed.

The second study will inform the investigators on the memories linked to self representations. The investigators predict that these memories would be, in autism, less detailed and less important for identity. The investigators also hypothesize that the memories linked to the restricted interests would be more detailed and important for the self.

Autobiographical memory and socialization are deeply interconnected. So, the investigators think that this research will help them to elaborate news therapies focused on autobiographical memory improvement. Finally, the investigators want to reduce the social disability in autism.

Eligibility Criteria:
Study A \& B, Adults with autism spectrum disorders without intellectual deficiency

Inclusion criteria:

* adults with autism spectrum disorders
* 18 to 65 years old

Exclusion criteria:

* treatment with benzodiazepines

Study A \& B, control adults

Inclusion criteria:

* healthy volunteers
* 18 to 65 years old

Exclusion criteria:

* psychiatric disorders