Current research: Autism and Culture

Most research on autism is conducted in Western countries. It is unclear if these findings can be generalized to other countries and cultures, and if Western screening questionnaires and their norms are applicable to other countries and cultures. There might be important cultural differences in the interpretation and expression of autistic traits. For example, how do people think/feel about autistic traits? How is autism diagnosed in different cultures? Are there differences in the expression of autistic traits in different cultures or countries? Is there more stigma in certain countries and cultures than in other?

In my current research, I focus on possible cultural differences in the interpretation of autistic traits, attitudes towards autism, and stress among parents of children with autism (with PhD student Omidreza Fani from the University of Nottingham Malaysia). Moreover, I look into the influence of language on autism measures, and the relationship between multilingualism and Executive Functions in autism (together with PhD student Wee Shin Ying from the University of Nottingham Malaysia). Additionally, I am interested in differences in parenting styles between cultures and possible influences on child development and attachment.

Past Research

My PhD focused on Executive Functions (EFs) in children with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). I studied which EFs children with ASC experience difficulties in, and the relationship between EFs as measured on tasks with EFs in daily life. Moreover, with a randomized controlled trial, I studied whether Working Memory and Cognitive Flexibility could be improved with an EF training game (Braingame Brian). Although all children improved in EFs, there was no difference between children who were trained (in Working Memory or Cognitive Flexibility) and children who received the control (placebo) training.

During my Postdoctoral research, I focused on neuropsychological consequences of several diseases in children, such as brain tumors, and sickle cell disease. Children who had a brain tumor seem to 'grow into deficit'; neuropsychological problems increase over the years after diagnosis and treatment, as affected brain regions might cease to develop. Screening for neuropsychological consequences over time is therefore very important. We studied whether screening with a questionnaire (Pediatric Perceived Cognitive Functioning item bank; PedsPCF) prior to extensive neuropsychological testing would be informative. An important finding was the lack of an association between neuropsychological tasks and questionnaires. 

When working in Malaysia, with (then PhD student) Dr. Safira Abu Bakar, we studied whether there were cultural differences in autism-related cognition/behaviors as measured with the autism spectrum quotient (social communication, flexibility, imagination/creativity, and attention to details). Moreover, with PhD student Keith Chee Zhong Jian we studied the relationship between music, autistic traits and executive functions,.