RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Studies of executive function in autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability (ASD-WID) patients are contradictory. We assessed a wide range of executive functioning cognitive domains in a sample of children and adolescents with ASD-WID and compared them with age-, sex-, and intelligence quotient (IQ)-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty-four ASD-WID patients (mean age 12.8±2.5 years; 23 males; mean IQ 99.20±18.81) and 32 healthy controls (mean age 12.9±2.7 years; 30 males; mean IQ 106.81±11.02) were recruited. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in all cognitive domains assessed, with better performance by the healthy control group: attention (U=185.0; P=.0005; D=0.90), working memory (T51.48=2.597; P=.006; D=0.72), mental flexibility (U=236.0; P=.007; D=0.67), inhibitory control (U=210.0; P=.002; D=0.71), and problem solving (U=261.0; P=0.021; D=0.62). These statistically significant differences were also found after controlling for IQ. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with ASD-WID have difficulties transforming and mentally manipulating verbal information, longer response latency, attention problems (difficulty set shifting), trouble with automatic response inhibition and problem solving, despite having normal IQ. Considering the low executive functioning profile found in those patients, we recommend a comprehensive intervention including work on non-social problems related to executive cognitive difficulties.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno del Espectro Autista/psicología , Función Ejecutiva , Inteligencia , Adolescente , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Pruebas de Inteligencia , Masculino , Pruebas NeuropsicológicasRESUMEN
ABSTRACT This article provides an account of the revelatory experience of diagnosing a high-functioning, autistic, adult male by a non-specialist medical practitioner and its implications for knowledge, attitudes and practice in dealing with the autistic spectrum.
RESUMEN Este artículo ofrece un reporte de la experiencia reveladora del diagnóstico de un varón adulto autista de alto funcionamiento por un médico no especializado y sus implicaciones para el conocimiento, las actitudes y la práctica al tratar con el espectro autista.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Competencia Clínica , Síndrome de Asperger/diagnósticoRESUMEN
El perfil neuropsicológico de los sujetos con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) ha sido objeto de muchos debates y discusiones. El funcionamiento cognitivo de esta población es explicado a partir de modelos teóricos que abordan algunos de los aspectos que presentan estos individuos. Sin embargo, se ha encontrado resultados contradictorios que dificultan la comprensión general de todos los elementos que caracterizan el perfil intelectual observado en esta población. Basados en lo anterior, en el presente artículo se expone una revisión teórica reflexiva a partir de la evidencia empírica de investigaciones sobre el perfil cognitivo de los TEA de alto funcionamiento (Síndrome de Asperger y Autismo de Alto Funcionamiento).
The neuropsychological profile of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) has been the subject of many debates and discussions. The cognitive functioning of this population is explained from theoretical models that address some of the issues that occur in these individuals. However, conflicting results have been found that hinder the general understanding of all the elements that characterize the intellectual profile observed in this population. Based on the above, the present article presents a theoretical reflexive review from the empirical evidence from research on the cognitive profile of the TEA of high performance (High Functioning Autism and Aspergers Syndrome).