Introduction

Schacter (2003) has given an accessible account of practical memory characteristics in the general population, through an analysis of memory problems – characterized as the seven ‘sins’ of memory. Memory in autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) is nontypical; nevertheless, Schacter's analysis provides a useful framework for examining that difference in practical aspects of memory. This chapter will consider practical functioning of memory in people with ASDs, through looking at the evidence of its features and how it differs from typical memory functioning. This evidence comes both from the research literature and also as reported in clinical or autobiographical accounts of individuals.

Everyday memory functioning in autism

Reports of memory functioning in autism often stress memory as a ‘preserved ability’ or a cognitive strength. A study of ‘savant’ skills in children with ASDs (Clark, 2005) has shown that all the children studied had savant memory skills either as their sole savant ability (rare) or in addition to others. However, the reported savant memory skills generally represent a narrow range of abilities, largely rote memory skills (Boucher & Lewis, 1989; Jordan, 1999; Kanner, 1943; Wing, 1981). The narrow and rigid nature of these skills provides evidence of memory processes in ASDs that are significantly different from those found in typical development.

Typical human cognitive processing has evolved for efficiency in everyday situations; even problems in processing can be seen as unwanted ‘side effects’ of a system geared for maximum enhancement of common problem solving in daily life, as Schacter (2003) argues.