Abstract
The present study evaluated the hypothesis that the strength of the relationship between executive function (EF) and repetitive behaviors and restricted interests (RBRI) symptomatology is moderated by the degree to which concurrent demands are placed on multiple aspects of EF. An eye movement task was used to evaluate inhibition and task switching ability (both together and in isolation) in a sample of 22 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) was used to assess the severity of RBRI symptoms. Results provide preliminary support for the aforementioned hypothesis. RBS-R scores were significantly correlated with task performance when simultaneous demands were placed on switching and inhibition; however, no such relationship was found for inhibition-only or switching-only task conditions.
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Abbreviations
- ASD:
-
Autism Spectrum Disorder
- EF:
-
Executive Function
- RBRI:
-
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests
- RBS-R:
-
Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised
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Acknowledgments
The authors would also like to thank Melissa Hord for her assistance with data collection.
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This research was supported by grants from the University of Missouri Research Board (SEC) and Autism Speaks (SEC).
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design as well as manuscript preparation. L.K., A.G., K.B., M.C., & S.C. performed data collection and/or analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The authors (M.C., L.K., A.M., K.B., J.M., & S.C.) declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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Cissne, M.N., Kester, L.E., Gunn, A.J.M. et al. Brief Report: A Preliminary Study of the Relationship between Repetitive Behaviors and Concurrent Executive Function Demands in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 1896–1902 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05071-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05071-z