Executive Functions Profiles in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: Executive functions (EFs) play a crucial role in overall human functioning. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have EFs deficits. The aim of this study was to examine EFs in preschool children with ASD. Methods: The sample for this study comprised 32 children (27 boys, mean age 65.3 months, SD-4.0 months) with ASD. The control group consisted of 32 children with neurotypical development (16 boys, mean age 64.3 months, SD-5.1 months). EFs were assessed with Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool version. Results: The results of this study indicated that children with ASD have more heterogeneous EFs profiles than children with typical development. Children with ASD had substantially lower EFs than children with neurotypical development. Conclusion: Identifying EFs deficits in children with ASD at an early age may help create programs to ameliorate these deficits. Psychologists and educators have many evidence-based interventions at their disposal to improve EFs in children with ASD.