Executive function predicts the visuospatial working memory in autism spectrum disorder and...

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Cognitive Psychology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience working memory deficits.
• Previous research on factors influencing working memory in ASD and ADHD populations has yielded inconsistent findings.
• Understanding the relationship between executive function (EF) and visuospatial working memory (VSWM) is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between executive function (EF) and visuospatial working memory (VSWM) in children with ASD and ADHD.
• To compare VSWM performance and its relationship with specific EF domains across ASD, ADHD, and typically developing (TD) groups.

Main Methods:

• Participants included 21 children with ASD, 28 with ADHD, and 28 TD children.
• Executive function was assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), measuring categories achieved (CA), perseverative errors (PE), failures to maintain set (FMS), and total errors (TE).
• Visuospatial working memory (VSWM) was evaluated using the Corsi Block Tapping Test.

Main Results:

• The ASD group demonstrated significantly poorer VSWM performance compared to both the ADHD and TD groups.
• In the ASD group, VSWM positively correlated with CA and negatively with PE and TE.
• In the ADHD group, FMS showed a negative relationship with VSWM, and TE predicted VSWM performance in ASD, while FMS predicted it in ADHD.

Conclusions:

• Visuospatial working memory (VSWM) appears to be impaired in children with ASD, but not necessarily in children with ADHD.
• Specific domains of executive function (EF) are differentially associated with VSWM performance in ASD and ADHD populations.
• Intervention strategies for improving cognitive capacity in ASD and ADHD should consider distinct working memory and EF targets.