Executive Function: Cognition and Behaviour in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Executive Function

T2 - Cognition and Behaviour in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

AU - Johnston, Kate

AU - Murray, Kim

AU - Spain, Debbie

AU - Walker, Ian

AU - Russell, Ailsa

PY - 2019/10/1

Y1 - 2019/10/1

N2 - Studies of executive function (EF) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reported mixed findings. Possible confounds include EF domain assessed and co-occurring neurodevelopmental diagnoses. EF task performance across multiple domains and everyday function of autistic adults (n = 110) was significantly different to age- and IQ-matched controls (n = 31). Although significantly more likely to fall into the clinically impaired range, 35.8% of the ASD group showed no impairment on EF measures. Factor analysis revealed a single unifying EF construct rather than a selective pattern of impairment. Dysexecutive behaviours were frequently reported in the ASD group, unrelated to Autism symptoms, EF task performance or co-occurring conditions. This study suggests autistic adults can experience clinically significant executive function difficulties and co-occuring dysexecutive behaviours that are disabling in everyday life.

AB - Studies of executive function (EF) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reported mixed findings. Possible confounds include EF domain assessed and co-occurring neurodevelopmental diagnoses. EF task performance across multiple domains and everyday function of autistic adults (n = 110) was significantly different to age- and IQ-matched controls (n = 31). Although significantly more likely to fall into the clinically impaired range, 35.8% of the ASD group showed no impairment on EF measures. Factor analysis revealed a single unifying EF construct rather than a selective pattern of impairment. Dysexecutive behaviours were frequently reported in the ASD group, unrelated to Autism symptoms, EF task performance or co-occurring conditions. This study suggests autistic adults can experience clinically significant executive function difficulties and co-occuring dysexecutive behaviours that are disabling in everyday life.

KW - Adult

KW - Autism spectrum disorder

KW - Dysexecutive syndrome

KW - Executive function

KW - Neuropsychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85069671230&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7

DO - 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7

M3 - Article

C2 - 31281952

AN - SCOPUS:85069671230

SN - 0162-3257

VL - 49

SP - 4181

EP - 4192

JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

IS - 10

ER -