Characterizing the factor structure of parent reported executive function in autism spectrum disorders: the impact of cognitive inflexibility.
High Shift scores on the BRIEF flag autism-linked rigidity more than general executive problems.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked 100 parents to fill out the BRIEF rating scale. Half had kids with autism. Half had typical kids.
They checked if the nine-factor structure of the BRIEF held true for both groups.
What they found
The nine factors fit typical kids well. They did not fit kids with autism.
Parents of kids with autism scored sky-the-roof on the Shift scale. Shift means trouble switching tasks or plans.
How this fits with other research
Machado et al. (2024) also used parent reports. They found sensory issues run in families of kids with autism. Both studies show parent reports pick up clear autism-linked patterns.
Brosnan et al. (2025) found that intolerance of uncertainty drives slow decision-making in autism. Granader et al. (2014) show the same kids struggle with mental flexibility. The two findings line up: rigid thinking and slow choices may share the same root.
Olu-Lafe et al. (2014) tested shape-building speed. Kids with autism were slower, and the delay matched symptom severity. Granader et al. (2014) add that mental inflexibility also tracks with autism traits. Both point to a broad rigidity profile.
Why it matters
When you see sky-high Shift scores on the BRIEF, you know the profile is autism-linked, not just bad behavior. Build supports that front-load clear cues, give extra transition time, and teach flexible problem-solving.
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02At a glance
03Original 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.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2014 · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.04.068