Relationship between executive function and autism symptoms in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder.
Give the BRIEF-P at intake; weak EF scores point to where you can intervene first.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Ko et al. (2024) gave the BRIEF-P to parents of preschoolers with autism and to parents of typical kids. They wanted to see if executive function scores line up with autism symptoms.
The team used simple stats to test how much of the autism-symptom picture could be explained by EF scores.
What they found
Kids with autism scored much worse on every BRIEF-P scale. The gap was large and clear.
EF problems explained 57 % of the variance in autism symptoms. If EF is weak, autism signs look worse.
How this fits with other research
Terroux et al. (2025) asked the same question and got the same answer: BRIEF-P scores track with autism severity in preschoolers. This new study adds the 57 % number.
McClain et al. (2022) looked at toddlers and preschoolers with autism, ID, or both. They also found working memory as the most hurt EF skill. Chun-Ling now shows the same pain point in pure autism.
Fong et al. (2020) moved up to 8- to 14-year-olds and saw that parent-rated EF still predicts social problems. The pattern starts early and stays.
Why it matters
Add the BRIEF-P to your intake packet for every 4- to 6-year-old with ASD. One page of parent answers gives you a road map: if inhibition or working memory is low, fold EF drills into play, daily living, and social-skills programs. Target these skills early and you may soften later autism symptoms.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Executive dysfunction and other symptomatology could have links in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study contains three objectives: to explore the difference in executive function between preschoolers with ASD and typically developing individuals (TD), to investigate correlations between executive function and multiple domains of autism symptoms in preschoolers with ASD, and to examine the impact of executive function on symptoms of autism. Participants of this study included preschoolers (4-6 years) with ASD (24 boys, 20 girls) according to DSM-5-TR criteria and TD (24 boys, 20 girls). BRIEF-P (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version) and CASD-C (Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder-Chinese Version) were used as measurement tools. Data were analyzed using MANOVA, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and simple regression. For the results, the study found results of executive function were significantly lower in preschoolers with ASD than in preschoolers without ASD; the greater the executive dysfunction, the greater the autistic symptomatology, and executive dysfunction predicted 57 % of the variability of autism symptoms. In conclusion, preschoolers with ASD had more executive dysfunction than those without ASD. Based on our findings, the study recommends incorporating executive function into clinical assessment programs to understand how executive function is related to autism symptoms.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2024 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104692