Simple Executive Function as an endophenotype of autism-ADHD, and differing associations between simple versus complex Executive Functions and autism/ADHD traits

TY - JOUR

T1 - Simple Executive Function as an endophenotype of autism-ADHD, and differing associations between simple versus complex Executive Functions and autism/ADHD traits

AU - The STAARS Team

AU - Hendry, Alexandra

AU - Bedford, Rachael

AU - Agyapong, Mary

AU - Begum Ali, Jannath

AU - Bazelmans, Tessel

AU - Ersoy, Mutluhan

AU - Goodwin, Amy

AU - Mason, Luke

AU - Narvekar, Nisha

AU - Pasco, Greg

AU - Johnson, Mark H.

AU - Jones, Emily J.H.

AU - Charman, Tony

AU - Taylor, Chloë

AU - Kolesnik, Anna

AU - Kalwarowsky, Sarah

AU - Holman, Rebecca

AU - Halkola, Hanna

AU - Haartsen, Rianne

AU - Gliga, Teodora

AU - Fish, Laurel

AU - Dafner, Leila

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025/2/10

Y1 - 2025/2/10

N2 - Autism and ADHD are associated with difficulties with Executive Functions (EFs), but the prevalence and nature of these difficulties in early development is not well understood. In this longitudinal study, 107 children with a family history of autism and/or ADHD (FH-autism/ADHD), and 24 children with No-FH-autism/ADHD completed multiple EF tasks (5 at age 2 years, 7 at age 3 years). Parents reported on their child’s autism- (Q-CHAT at age 2, SRS-2 at age 3), and ADHD-related traits (CBCL DSM-ADHD scale, both ages). Compared to the No-FH-autism/ADHD group, the FH-autism/ADHD group showed lower scores on simple EFs (involving response inhibition, and holding in mind) at ages 2 and 3. Exploratory analysis linked FH-autism specifically with lower Executive Attention (top-down attentional control) at age 2, and the combination of FH-autism and FH-ADHD with lower Complex EF (involving selectively deploying responses, or updating information) at age 3. Three-year-olds’ Simple EF scores were negatively associated with ADHD-related traits. Complex EF scores were negatively associated with autism traits (before correcting for multiple comparisons). Toddlers with a family history of autism and/or ADHD may benefit from interventions to support simple EF development, whilst those already showing autistic traits may benefit from support with more-complex EF skills.

AB - Autism and ADHD are associated with difficulties with Executive Functions (EFs), but the prevalence and nature of these difficulties in early development is not well understood. In this longitudinal study, 107 children with a family history of autism and/or ADHD (FH-autism/ADHD), and 24 children with No-FH-autism/ADHD completed multiple EF tasks (5 at age 2 years, 7 at age 3 years). Parents reported on their child’s autism- (Q-CHAT at age 2, SRS-2 at age 3), and ADHD-related traits (CBCL DSM-ADHD scale, both ages). Compared to the No-FH-autism/ADHD group, the FH-autism/ADHD group showed lower scores on simple EFs (involving response inhibition, and holding in mind) at ages 2 and 3. Exploratory analysis linked FH-autism specifically with lower Executive Attention (top-down attentional control) at age 2, and the combination of FH-autism and FH-ADHD with lower Complex EF (involving selectively deploying responses, or updating information) at age 3. Three-year-olds’ Simple EF scores were negatively associated with ADHD-related traits. Complex EF scores were negatively associated with autism traits (before correcting for multiple comparisons). Toddlers with a family history of autism and/or ADHD may benefit from interventions to support simple EF development, whilst those already showing autistic traits may benefit from support with more-complex EF skills.

KW - ADHD

KW - Autism

KW - Endophenotype

KW - Executive Function

KW - Preschool

KW - Toddler

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85218434190&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-025-87863-2

DO - 10.1038/s41598-025-87863-2

M3 - Article

C2 - 39929907

AN - SCOPUS:85218434190

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 15

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

IS - 1

M1 - 4925

ER -