ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the most important findings from an ongoing series of studies aimed at uncovering the distinctive decision processes of high-functioning adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The greater reliance on analytic and logical processing in autistic individuals may underlie the difficulty in making efficient and quick decisions which may be particularly important in the social world. However, those who are higher functioning may learn to rely more on non-social cues in solving problems. Thus, it is important to separate the roles of social and non-social processes in understanding the decision making of high-functioning persons with autism in different decision domains. Larger and more geographically diverse samples were recruited to understand the everyday decision making of high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum. Difficulty with everyday decisions can clearly be seen as a deficit that affects quality of life. Likewise, avoidance of risks in the social domain and avoidance of personal contacts can interfere with a successful lifestyle.
