Why people with autism find multi-tasking hard

Young people with autism may find it difficult to multitask because they stick rigidly to tasks in the order they are given to them, Scottish research suggests.

The study by Strathclyde University also found that difficulty with “prospective memory” – remembering to carry out their intentions – may contribute to the challenges they face.

The researchers presented pupils with a series of tasks, such as collecting and delivering a book and making a cup of hot chocolate, to be carried out within a time limit of eight minutes. These activities were carried out in a computer-generated virtual environment.

Dr Gnanathusharan Rajendran, who led the study, said: “Our research offers a real insight into the problems young people with autism have with multi-tasking and points the way to further investigation for possible solutions.”