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Executive Function in Autism: Association with ADHD and ASD Symptoms
Rachel R Lee1, Anthony R Ward1, David M Lane2
1McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|January 30, 2021
Summary
Executive functioning deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are linked to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, not ASD severity. Specific executive functions like shifting and emotional control were less affected.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur.
- Executive functioning (EF) deficits are common in both ASD and ADHD populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ASD and ADHD symptom severity and executive functioning deficits in children diagnosed with ASD.
- To determine if EF deficits in children with ASD are associated with ASD severity, ADHD severity, or both.
Main Methods:
- The study included 64 children diagnosed with ASD (mean age 9.26 years).
- Parent and teacher ratings of executive functioning were collected in home and classroom settings.
- ADHD and ASD symptoms were assessed in relation to executive functioning measures.
Main Results:
- Executive functioning deficits, excluding Shift and Emotional Control, were significantly associated with ADHD symptom severity.
- No significant relationship was found between executive functioning deficits and ASD severity.
- Specific domains of executive functioning, namely Shift and Emotional Control, appeared relatively unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Executive functioning impairments in children with ASD are primarily associated with comorbid ADHD symptoms.
- The findings suggest that interventions targeting ADHD symptoms may improve executive functioning in children with ASD.
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