Comparing Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents with Autism and ADHD-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are linked to executive function (EF) deficits.
• The precise nature and specificity of these EF impairments remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare EF profiles across ASD, ADHD, and combined ASD+ADHD groups against typically developing (TD) individuals.
• To investigate if EF assessment methods (performance tests vs. questionnaires) influence observed differences.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis synthesizing data from 36 eligible studies.
• Comparison of EF performance using neuropsychological tests and self/informant-report questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Both ASD and ADHD groups exhibited greater EF difficulties than the TD group, particularly on questionnaires.
• No significant EF profile differences were found between ASD and ADHD using neuropsychological tests (d = 0.02).
• Questionnaire-based assessments showed significant differences, with ADHD ratings higher than ASD (d = -0.34).
• The ASD+ADHD group displayed an EF profile more similar to ADHD alone and exhibited more difficulties than the ASD alone group.

Conclusions:

• EF assessment tools capture distinct constructs; questionnaires may better predict real-world EF challenges.
• While performance tests show similar EF profiles for ASD and ADHD, questionnaires highlight distinct differences, suggesting varied impacts on daily functioning.
• The combined ASD+ADHD diagnosis presents a more severe EF profile, closely resembling that of ADHD.