Longitudinal Examination of Adaptive Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Influence of Executive Function.
This study characterizes longitudinal change in adaptive behavior in 64 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability evaluated on multiple occasions, and examines whether prior estimate of executive function (EF) problems predicts future adaptive behavior scores. Compared to standardized estimates for their developmental stage, adaptive behavior in most participants was impaired and did not improve over time. Prior EF predicted later adaptive behavior in daily living skills and socialization domains after controlling for age and IQ. Self-monitoring behaviors robustly predicted later adaptive behavior in all domains (d = 0.60-0.94). Results support targeting treatment of adaptive skills in ASD, as well as the importance of assessing for EF problems that may contribute to adaptive behavior difficulties.
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders & Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA. cpuglies@childrensnational.org.
Cara E
CE
Pugliese
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders & Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
Laura Gutermuth
LG
Anthony
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders & Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
John F
JF
Strang
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders & Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
Katerina
K
Dudley
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Gregory L
GL
Wallace
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Daniel Q
DQ
Naiman
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders & Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
Lauren
L
Kenworthy
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology; D012951:Socialization
Adaptive behavior; Autism spectrum disorder; Cognitive ability; Executive function; Longitudinal