Little Effect of Executive Functioning on Behaviour Problems of Those with Attachment or Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored whether executive functioning (EF) mediated the relationship between either autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attachment disorder (AD) and behaviour problems for a sample of children with learning disabilities. Methods: A sample of 79 pupils with learning disabilities was examined in terms of their AD and ASD traits, their levels of behaviour problems and performance on four EF tasks (WCST, Hungry Donkey, Stroop and Tower of London) was assessed. Results: There were positive correlations between levels of ASD and AD and between both of these traits and behaviour problems. However, there was no relationship between these traits and EF, and no relationship between EF and behaviour problems. Conclusions: That there was little influence of EF as a mediator between these conditions and behaviour problems for a sample with learning disabilities suggests that EF has limited usefulness as a target for educational intervention in such a sample.