Metacognitive monitoring and control processes in children with autism spectrum disorder: Diminished judgement of confidence accuracy

Metacognition consists of monitoring processes (the ability to accurately represent one’s own mental states) and control processes (the ability to control one’s cognitive processes effectively). Both processes play vital roles in self-regulated learning. However, currently it is unclear whether these processes are impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to assess metacognition in thirty-two children with ASD, and 30 IQ/age-matched neurotypical children, using a judgment-of-confidence task. The results found that children with ASD showed diminished accuracy in their judgments-of-confidence, indicating metacognitive monitoring impairments in ASD. Children with ASD also used monitoring to influence control processes significantly less than comparison participants, despite little evidence of impairments in overall control ability.