Executive functions
Abilities with which people plan, start, keep track of and flexibly adapt actions. In people on the autism spectrum, test results are on average moderately lower; this is a group average, not a diagnostic criterion.
- Also called
- executive function, self-regulation of action
Executive functions are abilities with which people plan, start, keep track of and flexibly adapt actions. A large meta-analysis (235 studies, around 14,000 participants) found moderately lower test results on average in people on the autism spectrum than in comparison persons (effect size 0.48), similar across age groups. [1]
This is a group average: it does not say that every person is affected, and according to the authors it is not suitable for diagnosis. [1]
The 2021 S3 guideline reported a study of a programme for executive functions that improved flexibility and self-organisation but not social interaction; it did not make a recommendation on this. [2, Ch. C.4.2.2, C.4.3.2] In detail: Executive functions: planning, starting, switching.
Sources and literature
- Demetriou EA, Lampit A, Quintana DS, Naismith SL, Song YJC, Pye JE, Hickie I, Guastella AJ: Autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of executive function. Molecular Psychiatry 2018;23(5):1198–1204. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2017.75 (PMID 28439105)
- DGKJP/DGPPN et al.: Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter, Teil 2: Therapie. Interdisziplinäre S3-Leitlinie, AWMF-Reg.-Nr. 028-047, Langversion, Stand Text 02.05.2021. https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/028-047l_S3_Autismus-Spektrum-Stoerungen-Kindes-Jugend-Erwachsenenalter-Therapie_2021-04_1.pdf
In detail: Executive functions: planning, starting, switching
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Executive functions: planning, starting, switching
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