Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
The Attentional Set Shifting Task: A Measure of Cognitive Flexibility in Mice
Published on: February 4, 2015
Executive function in MCDD and PDD-NOS: a study of inhibitory control, attention regulation and behavioral adaptivity
Sophie van Rijn1, Leo de Sonneville, Bertine Lahuis
1Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, The Netherlands. srijn@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Insights
Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders-Not Otherwise Specified, subtype Multidimensionally Competing Developmental Disorders (PDD-NOS, MCDD) show executive function deficits. These may explain thought problems and long-term developmental risks in this autism spectrum subgroup.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- A subset of children within the autism spectrum is susceptible to severe dysregulation in thought, emotion, and behavior.
- This dysregulation can manifest as symptoms of psychotic disorders during development.
- Identifying specific subgroups at risk is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder at risk for psychotic disorders.
- To compare executive function (EF) skills between children with PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD, and children with PDD-NOS without this subtype.
- To investigate potential neurocognitive markers associated with increased developmental risks.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study design was employed.
- Participants included children diagnosed with PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD (n=24) and children with PDD-NOS (n=23).
- Executive function skills were assessed using standardized measures.
Main Results:
- Children with PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD exhibited significantly poorer performance on various executive function measures compared to the control group.
- Specific deficits were noted in attention regulation and inhibitory control.
- These EF impairments may underlie the observed thought problems in the MCDD subgroup.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the recognition of PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD as a distinct clinical category.
- This subgroup presents specific long-term developmental risks, potentially related to psychosis.
- Executive function assessment can aid in identifying children at higher risk within the autism spectrum.
Abstract:
A proportion of children within the autism spectrum is at risk for severe deregulation of thought, emotion and behaviour resulting in (symptoms of) psychotic disorders over the course of development. In an attempt to identify this subgroup, children with PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD (n = 24) were compared to children with PDD-NOS (n = 23) on executive function (EF) skills. Significant differences emerged, always to the disadvantage of the children with PDD-NOS, subtype MCDD on various EF measures. The findings suggest compromised attention regulation and impaired inhibitory control in children with MCDD, which may help explain high levels of thought problems which are frequently observed in these children. Our findings provide evidence for recognizing a PDD subcategory of MCDD that is of specific interest with regard to long-term developmental risks involved.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:25Self-Regulation