Event overview
Psychology Department Research Seminars
Abstract
The Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) describes a set of characteristics, common in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), occurring at a subclinical level in the typical population and relatives of those with ASD. Little is known about the impact of ageing on the BAP and individuals with ASD.
There is a notable overlap in cognitive difficulties in ageing and ASD, both demonstrating reduced executive function and theory of mind performance and lower mood. Thus, the presence of the BAP/ASD may confer an additional risk during ageing.
This study extends the previous findings of subjective cognitive difficulties by examining objective performance on measures of executive function and theory of mind in older adults with/without BAP characteristics, as well as exploring the link between the BAP/ASD and depression, anxiety, and well-being.
Biography
Gavin R. Stewart is a current third year BSc (Hons) Psychology student at Goldsmiths, University of London. In recent years, Gavin has been involved as a Research Assistant to Dr Rebecca Charlton in the GoldAge lab, with a focus on social cognition and ageing in both typical ageing and ASD.
In summer 2016, Gavin and Rebecca successfully received a BPS Undergraduate Research Assistantship Grant for their study titled 'Ageing with Autism Traits: Examining Ageing in the Broad Autism Phenotype'. This study is currently being developed further over the next year, with current findings being presented as a poster at the Experimental Psychology Society conference in Jan 2017, and presented at the British Psychological Society conference in May 2017.
Dates & times
Date | Time | Add to calendar |
---|---|---|
1 Dec 2016 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.