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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

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01-12-2014 | Original Paper

Executive Functioning in Children with ASD: An Analysis of the BRIEF

Auteurs: E. M. A. Blijd-Hoogewys, M. L. Bezemer, P. L. C. van Geert

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 12/2014

Abstract

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) screens for executive function deficits in 5- to 18-year-olds. Data of three autism subgroups, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria (N = 35 Autistic Disorder, N = 27 Asperger’s Disorder and N = 65 PDD-NOS), were analyzed. The total group has elevated scores on almost all BRIEF scales. The Shift scale is clinically elevated, reflecting a deficit in cognitive flexibility. The BRIEF scales are not found to discriminate among the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) subgroups. The relation between BRIEF and IQ is complex. Possible influencing factors are discussed. Finally, it is recommended to omit the Negativity scale as a validity index in children with ASD and to consider a high score on this index as a unique characteristic of their BRIEF profile, reflecting rigidity problems.

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Such a reference group has also been used by Tsatanis et al. (2010).

In almost 40 % of the cases, there was a significant discrepancy between VIQ and PIQ. In those cases, according to the WISC-III manual, full scale IQ (FSIQ) is not meaningful. Omitting these cases from the study would result in a very select sample that would also be non-representative of children with ASD. Therefore, only VIQ and PIQ are used in the analyses; FSIQ is excluded as a variable.

Only PIQ was taken into account, since there are no significant correlations between the BRIEF scales and VIQ (see ‘Relation between IQ and EF’).

The chance of finding a significant correlation (α = .05) for PIQ and inhibition in the subset of BRIEF T-scores ≥ 65, under the null hypothesis of no association between both, is negligible (p = 0.01; based on Monte Carlo analysis, with 10,000 random permutations). The chance of finding three or more statistically significant (α = .05) correlations for PIQ in the subset of BRIEF T-scores < 65, under the null hypothesis of no association between PIQ and BRIEF scales, is negligible (p < .001; based on Monte Carlo analysis, with 10,000 random permutations).

The chance of finding these statistically significant (α = .05) correlations for PIQ > VIQ, under the null hypothesis of a similar association of PIQ > VIQ and PIQ < VIQ with the BRIEF scales, is negligible (p = .002; based on Monte Carlo, 10,000 random permutations).

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Titel: Executive Functioning in Children with ASD: An Analysis of the BRIEF
Auteurs: E. M. A. Blijd-Hoogewys
M. L. Bezemer
P. L. C. van Geert
Publicatiedatum: 01-12-2014
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2176-9

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