Executive Functions in Older Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Objective Performance and Subjective Complaints.
Although deficits in Executive Functioning (EF) are reported frequently in young individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), they remain relatively unexplored later in life (>50 years). We studied objective performance on EF measures (Tower of London, Zoo map, phonetic/semantic fluency) as well as subjective complaints (self- and proxy reported BRIEF) in 36 ASD and 36 typically developed individuals (n = 72). High functioning older adults with ASD reported EF-impairments in metacognition, but did not deviate in EF task performance, except for a longer execution time of the Tower of London. The need for additional time to complete daily tasks may contribute to impairments in daily life and may be correlated to a higher level of experienced EF-difficulties in ASD.
Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands. rcd.davids@lentis.nl.
Roeliena C D
RC
Davids
Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Yvonne
Y
Groen
Geriatric Psychiatry and Center for Neuropsychiatry, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Ina J
IJ
Berg
Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Oliver M
OM
Tucha
Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.|Geriatric Psychiatry and Center for Neuropsychiatry, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Ingrid D C
ID
van Balkom
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
Aging; Autism spectrum disorder; Cognition; Executive function; Neuropsychological assessment; Processing speed