Executive functions in children and adolescents with ADHD, ASD, and Affective Disorders: a differential exploratory analysis

Executive function cognitive deficits and behavioral issues are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and affective disorders. The current study enrolled 134 children and adolescents (aged 6-17) who were referred to a specialized service. Participants were categorized into groups based on ADHD, ASD, and affective disorders to conduct an exploratory analysis of multilevel executive dysfunctions. Guardians completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Second Edition (BRIEF-2) as part of the assessment process. Children engaged in tasks designed to evaluate both affective and non-affective executive functions. Dimensional exploratory analyses revealed that the ADHD and ASD groups exhibited greater cognitive non-affective executive deficits. However, performance non affective executive functions did not significantly differentiate participants based on their diagnostic status. Ultimately, the only notable shift in executive functioning was observed in the ASD and affective problems group, which demonstrated poorer outcomes.