Adaptive Skills and Executive Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Gilotty, Lisa; Kenworthy, Lauren; Sirian, Lisa M.; Black, David S.; Wagner, Ann E.

doi:10.1076/chin.8.4.241.13504

Cited by 334 publications

(280 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…These data replicate previous research showing associations between social ability and behaviors associated with executive dysfunction (Gilotty et al, 2002). The replication may be especially informative because the previous research examined a very different clinical sample and used a different social skills outcome measure (both studies used the BRIEF).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Social Skills and Executive Function Deficits in Children With the 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Kiley-Brabeck¹,

Sobin²

2006

Applied Neuropsychology

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The 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is among the most frequent gene deletion disorders, occurring once in every 6,000 live births. Descriptive reports have suggested marked social differences in affected children. Empirical studies are needed to verify possible social skills deficits among children with 22q11DS, and also to examine possible associations between their frequently reported executive function deficits and social anomalies.Fifty-two parents of affected children (n = 52) and participating control siblings (n = 26) completed the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and Behavior Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF).When compared with control siblings, children with 22q11DS had significantly lower SSRS ratings for Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, and Self-Control. Affected children had significantly higher BRIEF ratings for Initiation, Planning, Working Memory, and Monitoring. In affected children, global Social Skill was negatively correlated with BRIEF Global Composite scores. Initiation and Monitoring significantly predicted Social Skill. Children with 22q11DS have marked differences in social skill development which are associated with executive dysfunction. Keywords22q11 Deletion Syndrome; executive function; social skill; remediation; children; neuropsychology The 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is one of the most common known genetic disorders, estimated to occur in one of every 6,000 live births (Botto et al., 2003). The syndrome results in the loss of a 1.5 megabase region on the long arm of chromosome 22 at the 11.2 site. In the vast majority of cases, the deletion is not transmitted by either parent (de novo). Children with 22q11DS have an array of anomalies believed to be associated with the loss of genes in this region, including physical, neurocognitive, behavioral, and social differences. With regard to their physical phenotype, over 180 possible anomalies have been described (Ryan et al., 1997), the most common of which include structural differences of the head, ears, throat, and neck, possibly accompanied by early feeding difficulties (reflux), immunologic problems, heart defects of widely varying severity, and early hypotonia. Prior to the identification of a single underlying deletion, children with this syndrome were identified according to their primary physical problem, including DiGeorge Syndrome (primary immunological deficit), Conotruncal Anomaly Face Syndrome (primary heart defect with facial dysmorphologies), and Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (primary dysmorphologies of the face and head with varying cardiac irregularities). Any given child, however, may have several or none of these physical problems (although most children have been noted to have at least minor structural facial differences). In this way, the physical phenotype associated with 22q11DS is quite broad, and may determine whether and how early a child's deletion is detected.Although their physical phenotype varies greatly, the neurocognitive development of children with 22q11DS is proving to be...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Social Skills and Executive Function Deficits in Children With the 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Kiley-Brabeck¹,

Sobin²

2006

Applied Neuropsychology

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“…The findings reported here are consistent with reports attesting to the utility of the BRIEF as a measure of EF. 10,13,15 Parent ratings revealed more EF problems in children with epilepsy than children in the control group. The BRIEF scales were significantly correlated with D-KEFS performance, and establishment of 'at-risk' and 'low risk' epilepsy groups, based on the BRIEF, pointed to substantial deficits in EF associated with a high level of problems reported on the BRIEF.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The BRIEF has been used to assess EF in several pediatric samples, including traumatic brain injury, 11,12 attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 13 hydrocephalus, 14 and autism. 15,16 The BRIEF differs from other parent and teacher report measures, such as the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) which is a frequently used parent-report measure of both broad (e.g. internalizing, externalizing) and narrow dimensions (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Executive functioning in childhood epilepsy: parent‐report and cognitive assessment

Parrish

Geary

Jones

et al. 2007

Develop Med Child Neuro

112

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There is considerable interest in the assessment of executive function (EF) in pediatric clinical populations but only a few well-standardized measures exist. We examined EF in 53 children aged 8 to 18 years with recent onset epilepsy (31 males, 22 females) and 50 control children (23 males, 27 females) using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Thirty children had localization-related epilepsy and 23 had idiopathic generalized epilepsy; average duration of 10 months (SD 4y 1mo) and onset age of 11 years 6 months (SD 3y 6mo). The study sample was characterized by good seizure control, with 40 participants taking one antiepileptic drug (AED), one taking two AEDs, and 12 not treated pharmacologically. Children with epilepsy showed greater executive difficulties on both measures than children in the control group. The BRIEF and D-KEFS were significantly correlated, and an 'at-risk' group identified from the BRIEF was more significantly impaired on the D-KEFS than a 'low risk' group. The BRIEF was also a better predictor of performance on the D-KEFS than the Child Behavior Checklist. These findings indicate that children with recent onset epilepsy show significant difficulties in EF, and demonstrate the utility of parent ratings (BRIEF) in the assessment of EF.Cognitive impairment is common in childhood epilepsy and considerable attention has been devoted to identify related seizure characteristics.

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“…Although the questionnaire provides eight distinct clinical scales, to minimize the risk of type I error, we have only reported the two indices (Behavioral Regulation Index, Metacognitive Index) and the composite score, which incorporates all eight clinical scales (Global Executive Composite). The clinical validity of the BRIEF has been supported in a variety of diagnostic groups, including ADHD, 34 autism spectrum disorder, 35 and NF1. 22 Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before assessment.…”

Section: Procedures and Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

Champion

Rose

Payne

et al. 2014

Develop Med Child Neuro

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AIM Motor skill impairment and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported features of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We characterized and determined the relationship between motor impairment, gait variables, and cognitive function in children and adolescents with NF1.METHOD Motor function, gait, and neurocognitive abilities were assessed in 46 children and adolescents with NF1 (26 males, 20 females; age range 7-17y; mean age 11y 1mo, SD 3y 2mo). Tests to establish correlations between neurocognitive, motor, and gait variables were performed.RESULTS Compared with normative data, 28/39 of our NF1 cohort demonstrated impaired performance for balance and upper limb coordination and 16/38 for running speed and agility. Gait data revealed a strategy to preserve balance at the expense of velocity, with the unexpected exception of a tendency for reduced base of support. Neurocognitive testing confirmed mean IQ in the low average range (86.0) and deficits in spatial working memory and strategy generation. Significant correlations between a number of neurocognitive measures and motor abilities and gait were identified. The largest associations were between gait width and spatial working memory (r=0.594) and running speed and agility with strategy generation (r=0.549). INTERPRETATIONWe have identified a relationship between balance, running speed and agility, gait, and cognition in children with NF1. Findings suggest a shared abnormal neurodevelopmental process underlying some cognitive and motor abilities in NF1. Results are discussed within the context of evidence highlighting abnormal dopamine-mediated corticostriatal circuitry in NF1.Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition with a birth incidence of 1 in 2700 individuals.1 Caused by a mutation in the gene encoding neurofibromin on chromosome 17q11.2, NF1 is characterized by a diverse range of cutaneous, neurological, and neoplastic manifestations, including caf e-au-lait macules, skinfold freckling, neurofibromas, and optic pathway tumours. 2Skeletal anomalies have also been documented, including scoliosis, tibial dysplasia/pseudoarthrosis, and sphenoid wing dysplasia. Neurocognitive impairment is also well documented in children with NF1. 3,4 Although intelligence tends to be only mildly affected, specific impairments on measures of attention, executive function, language, and visual perception are common. Given the frequency and severity of cognitive deficits, it is not surprising that up to 70% of children with NF1 underachieve at school, with formal learning disability estimated to be present in approximately 50% of children. 5There is an emerging body of evidence demonstrating motor impairment as a common feature of NF1 in childhood. 4,6,7 Early research in this area documented problems with manual dexterity, balance, and ball skills, with 32% of children exhibiting severe impairment of coordination skills. Reduced motor competency may contribute to a range of poor outcomes for children with NF1. Gross motor skill impairments, fo...

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Adaptive Skills and Executive Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Cited by 334 publications

References 12 publications

Social Skills and Executive Function Deficits in Children With the 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Social Skills and Executive Function Deficits in Children With the 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Executive functioning in childhood epilepsy: parent‐report and cognitive assessment

Relationship between cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

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