The Development of an Executive Function-Based Intervention for Children with High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders
Project Description:
Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism (AS/HFA) are bright, caring people who also have problems with aspects of executive function (EF): flexible thinking/behavior, integration, planning, and organizing. These EF problems in children with AS/HFA interfere with learning and behavior in the classroom, and relate to the repetitive behaviors and social difficulties characteristic of the disorder. This proposal represents the partnership among key stakeholders to extend an intervention to address the core EF
component of flexible thinking, while also building other, supporting EF skills. Because there are currently no tested contextually-based EF interventions for children with AS/HFA, this project will adapt an EF cognitive remediation intervention for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This project will be the first step to adapt
the intervention components and develop a draft of the intervention materials through a participatory research framework; and will also conduct a preliminary test of the new measures to determine feasibility to measure change in EF skills; and revise the intervention and/or measures based on feedback.
This project is the first step in a long-term program of research to examine the effectiveness of a manualized intervention program to improve EF abilities in children with AS/HFA. This line of research is
unique and important for three reasons: First, it develops a novel intervention designed specifically for school age children with AS/HFA, a population whose unique needs have not yet been systematically addressed in the intervention literature. Second, the EFI focuses on addressing a well-documented neuropsychological
weakness in AS/HFA by adapting an intervention that has been empirically demonstrated to improve EF in children with TBI. Third, because classroom teachers and parents will deliver this intervention, the EFI techniques are infused into real-life contexts. These techniques would work in a synergistic fashion with other
proven intervention models.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
