title: Characterizing the factor structure of parent reported executive function in autism spectrum disorders: the impact of cognitive inflexibility.
abstract: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) consistently report executive functioning (EF) deficits. This study investigates the factor structure of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) as reported by parents of children with ASD and typically developing children (TDC). BRIEFs for 411 children with ASD and 467 TDC were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis of a nine-factor model met thresholds for goodness-of-fit in TDC, but not in the ASD sample. We found globally elevated EF problems in the ASD sample, especially on the Shift scale. These findings confirm that children with ASD exhibit significant EF deficits. Further investigation is needed to understand the pervasive nature of cognitive inflexibility in children with ASD.
authors: Children's National Medical Center, 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA, ygranade@childrensnational.org.
authors: Yael
authors: Y
authors: Granader
authors: Gregory L
authors: GL
authors: Wallace
authors: Kristina K
authors: KK
authors: Hardy
authors: Benjamin E
authors: BE
authors: Yerys
authors: Rachel A
authors: RA
authors: Lawson
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Rosenthal
authors: Meagan C
authors: MC
authors: Wills
authors: Eunice
authors: E
authors: Dixon
authors: Juhi
authors: J
authors: Pandey
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Penna
authors: Robert T
authors: RT
authors: Schultz
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Kenworthy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010290:Parents; D010555:Personality Inventory