Executive function and planning deficits in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Diagnosis: An analysis with a Tower of London task

Ready, D A (Dana)

 

Submission type

Oral only

Scheduled

Room 117, 10-07-2019, 09:00 - 10:30

Keywords

ASD, Executive Planning, Executive Functioning, Tower of London, TOL DX, Autism Spectrum Disorder,

Summary

Early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may lead to important early intervention services that may increase the quality of life for many children. The purpose of this study was to examine executive functioning and planning abilities associated with ASD severity, as well as compare executive functioning and planning abilities in those identified with ASD to a normative population sample. Factors of interest included scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition and the Tower of London Drexel University: 2nd Edition. Participants were thirty children between 7-14, identified with ASD at a small private clinic in a large city in the western United States. Data were collected via a retrospective review of records. Results of a correlation analysis indicated that ASD severity as measured by the ADOS-II was not significantly associated with executive functioning and planning abilities as measured on the TOL DX. Comparison of the sample with the general population revealed significant differences in executive functioning as indicated via scores on several TOL DX scales. Results indicate that the ASD sample had significant deficits in executive problem solving and planning when compared with typical peers. Implications for both assessment and intervention with children with ASD are discussed.

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