Executive functioning (EF) is an overarching term that refers to neuropsychological
processes that enable physical, cognitive, and emotional self-control. Deficits in
EF are often present in neurodevelopmental disorders, but examinations of the specificity
of EF deficits and direct comparisons across disorders are rare. The current study
investigated EF in 7- to 12-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typical development using a comprehensive
battery of measures assessing EF, including response inhibition, working memory, cognitive
flexibility, planning, fluency and vigilance. The ADHD group exhibited deficits in
vigilance, inhibition and working memory relative to the typical group; however, they
did not consistently demonstrate problems on the remaining EF measures. Children with
ASD showed significant deficits in vigilance compared with the typical group, and
significant differences in response inhibition, cognitive flexibility/switching, and
working memory compared with both groups. These results lend support for previous
findings that show children with autism demonstrate generalized and profound impairment
in EF. In addition, the observed deficits in vigilance and inhibitory control suggest
that a significant number of children with ASD present with cognitive profiles consistent
with ADHD.