Abstract
Recent research on executive function (EF) deficits in autism has led investigators to conclude that EF deficits are secondary to the disorder. The current study has two major goals: (1) Examine whether specific EF deficits are present in the youngest autism group to date (mean = 2.9 years), and (2) examine whether such deficits are secondary to autism, or act as an early non-specific cognitive risk factor for autism by comparing EF abilities of this autism group to a CA-matched typically developing group. Results from Experiment 1 suggest no specific EF deficits in autism relative to MA-matched controls, while results from Experiment 2 are consistent with the hypothesis that EF deficits may emerge as a secondary deficit in autism. Alternative hypotheses are also considered.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1068-1079 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2007 |
Keywords
- Autism
- Children
- Cognitive flexibility
- Executive function
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Developmental and Educational Psychology