Domains of Self-Regulation in Autism, Down Syndrome, and Williams Syndrome: Condition-Specific or Transdiagnostic?

AbstractThe current study examined regulatory control across autism, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. A bespoke 84-item parent-report questionnaire was developed, integrating effortful control and executive function across cognitive, emotional, and social domains—and extended with sensory regulation as a fourth domain. Parents of children aged 5–13 with these conditions and neurotypical peers participated (N = 233). Factor analyses showed different structures depending on data source: a three-factor model (Responsive/Reactive, Sensory Regulation, Proactivity/Initiation) in neurotypical parent data, and a six-factor model distinguishing cognitive, emotional, social and proactive regulation, plus sensory seeking and sensory avoidance in neurodiverse groups. Bayesian analysis of the three-factor model showed neurodiverse groups differed from neurotypical children on each factor. In the six-factor model, neurodiverse groups scored lower on sensory seeking and emotional, cognitive, and proactive regulation. For social regulation, only autistic children differed meaningfully from neurotypical children, while on sensory avoidance, children with Down syndrome did not. Cluster analyses indicated grouping by regulatory profiles rather than diagnoses, supporting a transdiagnostic view. These findings highlight both shared and condition-specific challenges, suggesting that diagnosis provides an initial guide to regulatory profile but should be supplemented by a needs-based assessment to better inform personalized intervention.