Executive functioning in children with Asperger syndrome, ADHD-combined type, ADHD-predominately inattentive type, and controls.

The team compared executive-function skills in four groups of kids. They tested children with Asperger syndrome, ADHD-combined type, ADHD-inattentive type, and typical peers. Each child completed the same battery of EF tasks. The goal was to see if Asperger syndrome shows a unique pattern of EF strengths and weaknesses.

Kids with Asperger syndrome struggled more with emotional control, planning, and flexible thinking than any other group. The ADHD groups had EF problems too, but the trouble spots were different. Typical peers scored highest across all tasks. The authors say this points to a distinct EF fingerprint for Asperger syndrome.

Kleinert et al. (2007) and Verté et al. (2006) already showed that both Asperger’s and high-functioning autism beat controls on EF deficits. McGonigle-Chalmers et al. (2010) keeps that story but adds finer detail by splitting ADHD into subtypes.

Wang et al. (2018) later echoed the same three-group setup and again found ASD most impaired, giving the pattern a second test. Fong et al. (2020) then linked those same emotional-control and planning gaps to real-life social problems, showing why the profile matters outside the lab.

Gonzalez-Gadea et al. (2013) widened the lens to adults and still saw distinct EF variability between ADHD and AS, proving the kid pattern can last.

If you work with autistic clients who were once labeled Asperger’s, screen for emotional control and planning deficits, not just broad EF. Match interventions to those weak spots—self-monitoring drills, visual planners, or emotion-regulation scripts. Skip generic EF games that ignore the unique profile; use tools shown to help the specific deficits Margaret et al. flagged.