Top

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

12-06-2019 | Original Paper

Executive Functions and Symptom Severity in an Italian Sample of Intellectually Able Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Auteurs: Giovanni Valeri, Laura Casula, Eleonora Napoli, Paolo Stievano, Barbara Trimarco, Stefano Vicari, Teresa Gloria Scalisi

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 9/2020

Abstract

A novel battery (BAFE; Valeri et al. 2015) was used in order to assess three executive function (EF) abilities (working memory, inhibition and shifting) in a sample of 27 intellectually able preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with 27 typically developing children matched on age and nonverbal IQ. Differences in EF skills were analyzed in participants with distinct ASD symptom severity. Children with ASD performed worse than typical controls on both set-shifting and inhibition, but not on visuo-spatial working memory. Additionally, children with more severe ASD symptoms showed a worse performance on inhibition than children with milder symptoms. These results confirm the presence of EF deficits and highlight a link between ASD symptoms and EF impairments in preschool age.

vorige artikel Interactional Synchrony and Its Association with Social and Communication Ability in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

volgende artikel Age of First Walking and Associations with Symptom Severity in Children with Suspected or Diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder

Alloway, T. P., & Alloway, R. G. (2013). Working memory in development. In T. P. Alloway & R. G. Alloway (Eds.), Working memory: The connected intelligence (pp. 63–82). New York: Psychology Press.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive functions: What they are, how they work, and why they evolved. New York: Guilford Press.

Best, J., & Miller, P. (2010). A developmental perspective on executive function. Child Development, 81(6), 1641–1660. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01499.x.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Carlson, S. M. (2005). Developmentally sensitive measures of executive function in preschool children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 28(2), 595–616.PubMed

Carlson, S. M., & Moses, L. J. (2001). Individual differences in inhibitory control and children’s theory of mind. Child Development, 72(4), 1032–1053.PubMed

Daunhauer, L. A., Fidler, D. J., Hahn, L., Will, E., Lee, N. R., & Hepburn, S. (2014). Profiles of everyday executive functioning in young children with Down Syndrome. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119, 303–318. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-119.4.303.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Dawson, G., Meltzoff, A. N., Osterling, J., & Rinaldi, J. (1998). Neuropsychological correlates of early symptoms of autism. Child Development, 69(5), 1276–1285.PubMedPubMedCentral

Dawson, G., Munson, J., Estes, A., Osterling, J., McPartland, J., Toth, K., et al. (2002). Neurocognitive function and joint attention ability in young children with autism spectrum disorder versus developmental delay. Child Development, 73(2), 345–358.PubMed

D’Cruz, A., Ragozzino, M., Mosconi, M., Shrestha, S., Cook, E., & Sweeney, J. (2013). Reduced behavioral flexibility in autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychology, 27(2), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031721.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Demetriou, E. A., Lampit, A., Quintana, D. S., Naismith, S. L., Song, Y. J. C., Pye, J. E., et al. (2018). Autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of executive function. Molecular Psychiatry, 23, 1198–1204.PubMed

Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168.PubMed

Diamond, A. (2016). Why improving and assessing executive functions early in life is critical. In J. A. Griffin, P. McCardle, L. S. Freund, J. A. Griffin, P. McCardle, & L. S. Freund (Eds.), Executive function in preschool-age children: Integrating measurement, neurodevelopment, and translational research (pp. 11–43). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14797-002.CrossRef

Diamond, A., & Taylor, C. (1996). Development of an aspect of executive control: Development of the abilities to remember what I said and to “Do as I say, not as I do”. Developmental Psychobiology, 29(4), 315–334.PubMed

Espy, K. A. (2004). Using developmental, cognitive and neuroscience approaches to understand executive control in young children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 26, 379–384.PubMed

Faja, S., & Dawson, G. (2014). Brief report: Performance on the dimensional change card sort and backward digit span by young children with autism without intellectual disability. Child Neuropsychology: A Journal on Normal and Abnormal Development in Childhood and Adolescence, 20(6), 692–699. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2013.856395.CrossRef

Frith, U. (1971). Spontaneous patterns produced by autistic, normal and subnormal children. In M. Rutter (Ed.), Infantile autism: Concepts, characteristics and treatment (pp. 113–135). London: Churchill Livingstone.

Frye, D., Zelazo, P. D., & Palfai, T. (1995). Theory of mind and rule-based reasoning. Cognitive Development, 10(4), 483–527.

Garon, N., Bryson, S., & Smith, I. (2008). Executive function in preschoolers: A review using an integrative framework. Psychological Bulletin, 134(1), 31–60. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.134.1.31.PubMedCrossRef

Garon, N., Smith, I. M., & Bryson, S. E. (2018). Early executive dysfunction in ASD: Simple versus complex skills. Autism Research, 11(2), 318–330.PubMed

Gerstadt, C. L., Hong, Y. J., & Diamond, A. (1994). The relationship between cognition and action: Performance of children 3 1/2–7 years old on a stroop-like day-night test. Cognition, 53(2), 129–153.PubMed

Gotham, K., Pickles, A., & Lord, C. (2009). Standardizing ADOS scores for a measure of severity in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(5), 693–705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0674-3.PubMedCrossRef

Gottesman, I., & Gould, T. (2003). The endophenotype concept in psychiatry: Etymology and strategic intentions. American Journal Of Psychiatry, 160(4), 636–645. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.160.4.636.PubMedCrossRef

Griffith, E. M., Pennington, B. F., Wehner, E. A., & Rogers, S. J. (1999). Executive functions in young children with autism. Child Development, 70(4), 817–832.PubMed

Happé, F., & Ronald, A. (2008). The fractionable autism triad: A review of evidence from behavioural, genetic, cognitive and neural research. Neuropsychology Review, 18, 287–304.PubMed

Hill, E. L. (2004a). Evaluating the theory of executive dysfunction in autism. Developmental Review, 24, 189–233.

Hill, E. L. (2004b). Executive dysfunction in autism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8(1), 26–32.PubMed

Hughes, C. (1998). Executive function in preschoolers: Links with theory of mind and verbal ability. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 16(2), 233–253.

Hughes, C., Ensor, R., Wilson, A., & Graham, A. (2010). Tracking executive function across the transition to school: A latent variable approach. Developmental Neuropsychology, 35, 20–36.PubMed

Kenny, L., Cribb, S., & Pellicano, E. (2018). Childhood executive function predicts later autistic features and adaptive behavior in young autistic people: A 12-year prospective study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0493-8.CrossRef

Kimhi, Y., Shoam-Kugelmas, D., Ben-Artzi, G. A., Ben-Moshe, I., & Bauminger-Zviely, N. (2014). Theory of mind and executive function in preschoolers with typical development versus intellectually able preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(9), 2341–2354.PubMed

Lee, K., Bull, R., & Ho, R. (2013). Developmental changes in executive functioning. Child Development, 84(6), 1933–1953. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12096.PubMedCrossRef

Lehto, J. E., Juujärvi, P., Kooistra, L., & Pulkkinen, L. (2003). Dimensions of executive functioning: Evidence from children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 21, 59–80. https://doi.org/10.1348/026151003321164627.CrossRef

Lopez, B., Lincoln, A., Ozonoff, S., & Lai, Z. (2005). Examining the relationship between executive functions and restricted, repetitive symptoms of autistic disorder. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 35(4), 445–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-005-5035-x.PubMedCrossRef

Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H., Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., et al. (2000). The autism diagnostic observation schedule—Generic: A standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30(3), 205–223.PubMed

Lord, C., Rutter, M., & Couteur, A. (1994). Autism diagnostic interview-revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(5), 659–685. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02172145.PubMedCrossRef

Miyake, A., Friedman, N. P., Emerson, M. J., Witzki, A. H., Howerter, A., & Wager, T. D. (2000). The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex “frontal lobe” tasks: A latent variable analysis. Cognitive Psychology, 41, 49–100.PubMed

Mosconi, M., Kay, M., D’Cruz, A., Seidenfeld, A., Guter, S., Stanford, L., et al. (2009). Impaired inhibitory control is associated with higher-order repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. Psychological Medicine, 39(9), 1559–1566. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291708004984.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Passler, M. A., Isaac, W., & Hynd, G. W. (1985). Neuropsychological development of behavior attributed to frontal lobe functioning in children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 1(4), 349–370.

Pellicano, E. (2007). Links between theory of mind and executive function in young children with autism: Clues to developmental primacy. Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 974.PubMed

Pellicano, E., Maybery, M., Durkin, K., & Maley, A. (2006). Multiple cognitive capabilities/deficits in children with an autism spectrum disorder: “Weak” central coherence and its relationship to theory of mind and executive control. Development and Psychopathology, 18(1), 77–98. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579406060056.PubMedCrossRef

Reed, P., Watts, H., & Truzoli, R. (2013). Flexibility in young people with autism spectrum disorders on a card sort task. Autism, 17(2), 162–171. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361311409599.PubMedCrossRef

Roid, G., & Miller, L. (1997). Leiter international performance scale–revised. Wood Dale, IL: Stoelting.

Russell, J. (1997). Autism as an executive disorder. New York: Oxford University Press.

Smithson, P. E., Kenworthy, L., Wills, M. C., Jarrett, M., Atmore, K., & Yerys, B. E. (2013). Real world executive control impairments in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1967–1975. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1747-x.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Stievano, P., Ciancaleoni, M., & Valeri, G. (2017). Italian executive functions battery for preschoolers (BAFE): Working memory, inhibition, set-shifting. Neuropsychological Trends, 22, 25–46.

Stievano, P., & Valeri, G. (2013). Executive functions in early childhood: Interrelations and structural development of inhibition, set-shifting and working memory. Neuropsychological Trends, 13(1), 27–45.

Stuss, D. T. (1992). Biological and psychological development of executive functions. Brain and Cognition, 20(1), 8–23.PubMed

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics. Pearson Education Limited: Pearson New International Edition.

Valeri, G., Stievano, P., Ferretti, M. L., Mariani, E., & Pieretti, E. (2015). BAFE Batteria per l’Assessment delle Funzioni Esecutive. Firenze: Hogrefe Editore.

Van Eylen, L., Boets, B., Cosemans, N., Peeters, H., Steyaert, J., Wagemans, J., et al. (2017). Executive functioning and local-global visual processing: Candidate endophenotypes for autism spectrum disorder? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(3), 258–269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12637.PubMedCrossRef

Yerys, B. E., Hepburn, S. L., Pennington, B. F., & Rogers, S. J. (2007). Executive function in preschoolers with autism: Evidence consistent with a secondary deficit. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(6), 1068–1079.PubMedPubMedCentral

Yerys, B. E., Wallace, G. L., Harrison, B., Celano, M. J., Giedd, J. N., & Kenworthy, L. E. (2009). Set-shifting in children with autism spectrum disorders: Reversal shifting deficits on the intradimensional/extradimensional shift test correlate with repetitive behaviors. Autism, 13, 523–538.PubMedPubMedCentral

Zelazo, P. D. (2004). The development of conscious control in childhood. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8(1), 12–17.PubMed

Zelazo, P. D., & Müller, U. (2002). Executive function in typical and atypical development. Oxford: Blackwell Handbook.

Titel: Executive Functions and Symptom Severity in an Italian Sample of Intellectually Able Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Auteurs: Giovanni Valeri
Laura Casula
Eleonora Napoli
Paolo Stievano
Barbara Trimarco
Stefano Vicari
Teresa Gloria Scalisi
Publicatiedatum: 12-06-2019
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 9/2020
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04102-0

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Andere artikelen Uitgave 9/2020

The Association Between Serum Vitamin D3 Levels and Autism Among Jordanian Boys

Supports for Postsecondary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

The CBCL/1½–5’s DSM-ASD Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analyses Across 24 Societies

Hammering that Nail: Varied Praxis Motor Skills in Younger Autistic Children

Early Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention Services for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the European Union (ASDEU): Family and Professional Perspectives

Self-categorization and Autism: Exploring the Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Ingroup Favouritism in the Minimal Group Paradigm