Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders. Literature has shown different patterns of deficits in executive functioning in children with ASD and ADHD. To date few studies have examined executive functions in both ASD and ADHD and with mixed results.The current study provides the first systematic review to explore distinct executive function components (attention problems, response inhibition, working memory, planning and flexibility) that underlie the specific deficits seen in children and adolescents with both ASD and ADHD disorders. Findings provide evidence for executive dysfunctions across different key components such as attention, response inhibition and verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ASD and comorbid ADHD clinical symptoms. This research explores the neurocognitive profile of the comorbid condition, which is also critical for designing appropriate interventions.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by deficits in communication, social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours
The current study provides the first systematic review to explore distinct executive function components that underlie the specific deficits seen in children and adolescents with both ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) disorders
The search was further refined according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in selected papers that reported on findings relevant in relation to executive functioning skills in ASD and ADHD comorbid group or ADHD and ASD comorbid group: 1) Studies with ASD and ADHD or ADHD and ASD comorbid group; 2) assessed Executive functioning (EF) domains or skills through standardized test; 3) participants from 3 years to 18 years age; 4) Empirical studies
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by deficits in communication, social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours. Executive functioning (EF) is a term that refers higher-order cognitive processes that guide complex goal-directed behaviors in a dynamic and changing environment This umbrella term encompasses different metacognitive domains such as response inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility planning or fluency (Diamond, 2013). These functions have been linked, in particular to prefrontal cortex suggesting that the brain regions that are important for EF are those affected by ASD (Goldberg et al, 2005; Ozonoff et al, 2004) and ADHD (Goldstein & Naglieri, 2013; Rubia, Alegria, & Brinson, 2014). The results of genetic, neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies suggest possible pathophysiological links between ASD and ADHD affecting key fronto-striatal and fronto-parietal circuits that are important for performing EF and complex cognitive functions as attentional process (Rommelse et al, 2011)
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