Executive Functioning

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Executive Functioning

Deficits in executive functioning, or the ability to do voluntary planned behavior or complex tasks, is broadly seen in both adults and children with ASD. Many researchers believe that executive dysfunction is caused by brain system abnormalities affecting complex information processing. Executive Functioning is thought to have Working Memory and Response Inhibition components. Furthermore, some believe that the deficit in executive functioning is the main reason behind the core deficits in ASD.1

Many believe that this may be linked to Gray Matter and White Matter differences seen in those with autism. Postmortem studies show a decreased gray matter to white matter ratio when compared to control subjects. Specific areas which had smaller ratios were lobules VI-VII which are mostly made up of gray matter. However, there were no differences once IQ was controlled for.

Deficits in executive functioning have been shown to persist for those with autism on a group level in longitudinal studies, but not for every individual.2,3,4

Cognitive Tasks that assess Executive Functioning

Citations

1. O'Hearn K et. al. Neurodevelopment and executive function in autism.Dev Psychopathol. 2008 Fall;20(4):1103-32. PMID 18838033

2. Ozonoff, et. al. A longitudinal study of executive function and theory of mind development in autism. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 415–431. 1994

3. Griffith EM et. al. Executive functions in young children with autism.Child Dev. 1999 Jul-Aug;70(4):817-32. PMID 10446722

4. Pellicano E. The development of core cognitive skills in autism: a 3-year prospective study.Child Dev. 2010 Sep-Oct;81(5):1400-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01481.x. PMID 20840230