Asperger's Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Asperger's Syndrome, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication.

Disorganization: The Forgotten Executive Dysfunction in High-Functioning Autism (HFA) Spectrum Disorders.

Kenworthy LE, Black DO, Wallace GL, Ahluvalia T, Wagner AE, Sirian LM

Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children's National Medical Center, Rockville, MD.

Executive function (EF) abilities were investigated in 72 children with high-functioning autism (HFA) spectrum disorders through the collection of parent ratings and performance on laboratory measures of EF. In addition, discrepancy analysis was used to isolate executive functioning on tasks that carry multiple demands. Comparison of HFA and Asperger Disorder (AD) groups did not reveal consistent differences in EF. Results did indicate global EF deficits in the combined group of children with HFA and AD. Within the EF domain, specific deficits in flexibility and organization were most prominent.

Published 3 November 2005 in Dev Neuropsychol, 28(3): 809-27.
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