中華心理衛生協會

Purpose: In the past literature, executive function (EF) deficit in the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were not conclusive due to some methodological issues such as IQ and task chosen. Thereby, this study explores the EF using lab-based task and self-report questionnaire for the children with high-functioning ASD (HFASD). Methods: We measured 30 children aged 7-10 years with HFASD and 27 control participants (Non- ASDs). EF measurements included six performance-based executive function tasks, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) questionnaire, which was completed by parents with respect to the daily life executive performance of their children. Results: Results indicated that compared with Non-ASDs, HFASD children showed relatively intact verbal and spatial working memory. Their ability to resist distractor interference was better than prepotent response inhibition, with longer reaction times on both tasks. Additionally, poor cognitive shifting performance was not due to low self-monitoring in the HFASD group. The HFASD children had elevated scores on all BRIEF scales. There was no significant relationship between the performance-based EF task and the questionnaire. Conclusions: The results showed: (1) The EF profile of HFASD children was unique; (2) While the performance-based tasks reflected basic EF ability, the EF questionnaire may reflect performance behavior related to EF, which needed to be differentiated.