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Objectives <p>Individuals with autism often experience difficulties with executive functions (EF). Some of these EF are, in turn, associated with certain behavioural autism characteristics. This study explored the intra- and inter-individual variability between autistic children in each of the EF components. Furthermore, this study aimed to delineate subgroups of autistic children and adolescents with different EF profiles and examined whether these subgroups are distinguished by differences in autism characteristics.</p> Methods <p>A sample comprised 58 autistic individuals and 47 non-autistic controls, aged between 8 and 18&#xa0;years. Eight lab-based EF tasks were administered to measure EF domains: working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, generativity, and planning. Additionally, a parent-reported daily-life EF measure was used to assess how these abilities manifest in real-life contexts.</p> Results <p>A multiple case series analysis revealed that most autistic individuals performed similarly to the non-autism group on all lab-based EF tasks, and no autistic participant experienced difficulty with all EF measures. However, most individuals seemed to face a particular challenge in daily-life EF, as reported by parents. Furthermore, a cluster analysis was performed to delineate more homogenous subgroups with similar EF profiles within the autistic group. Three subgroups were identified and characterised by (1) challenges with internally controlled cognitive flexibility and planning, (2) challenges with internally and externally controlled cognitive flexibility and (3) no EF-related difficulties. These clusters did not differ in terms of social communication and interaction; however, they significantly differed regarding restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.</p> Conclusions <p>Distinct subgroups within the autistic group with unique EF profiles (weaknesses and strengths) were identified providing insight into the specific patterns of difficulty crucial for tailor-made interventions.</p>

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Heterogeneity of Strengths and Challenges in Executive Functions of Autistic Children and Adolescents

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月9日

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  • Simona Sankalaite,
  • Lien Van Eylen,
  • Eva Ceulemans,
  • Ilse Noens,
  • Dieter Baeyens

摘要

Objectives

Individuals with autism often experience difficulties with executive functions (EF). Some of these EF are, in turn, associated with certain behavioural autism characteristics. This study explored the intra- and inter-individual variability between autistic children in each of the EF components. Furthermore, this study aimed to delineate subgroups of autistic children and adolescents with different EF profiles and examined whether these subgroups are distinguished by differences in autism characteristics.

Methods

A sample comprised 58 autistic individuals and 47 non-autistic controls, aged between 8 and 18 years. Eight lab-based EF tasks were administered to measure EF domains: working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, generativity, and planning. Additionally, a parent-reported daily-life EF measure was used to assess how these abilities manifest in real-life contexts.

Results

A multiple case series analysis revealed that most autistic individuals performed similarly to the non-autism group on all lab-based EF tasks, and no autistic participant experienced difficulty with all EF measures. However, most individuals seemed to face a particular challenge in daily-life EF, as reported by parents. Furthermore, a cluster analysis was performed to delineate more homogenous subgroups with similar EF profiles within the autistic group. Three subgroups were identified and characterised by (1) challenges with internally controlled cognitive flexibility and planning, (2) challenges with internally and externally controlled cognitive flexibility and (3) no EF-related difficulties. These clusters did not differ in terms of social communication and interaction; however, they significantly differed regarding restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.

Conclusions

Distinct subgroups within the autistic group with unique EF profiles (weaknesses and strengths) were identified providing insight into the specific patterns of difficulty crucial for tailor-made interventions.