Decision making in adults with autism: The role of ecological executive dysfunctions

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by presenting problems such as executive dysfunction and behavioral problems. Within the executive functions (EF) a warm area and a cold area can be differentiated; the latter is the most studied, although recent research points to a primary deficit in warm EFs or decision-making in ASD. In the present study, the symptomatology analyzed that accompanies ASD influencing «hot» EFs, or decision-making capacity. The sample consisted of 31 adults with intellectual disability and ASD, with an average mental age of 4.74. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the executive dysfunction, more specifically the mechanisms of inhibition (impulsive system), was a significant predictor of decision making by adults with ASD.