Executive Functioning in Everyday Life in Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study

Problems with executive function (EF) are considered a hallmark of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum (ASD). However, little is known about the developmental pathway everyday EF in these two groups, whether groups follow similar or different course. In this longitudinal study, children adolescents ADHD (n = 84, Mage 11.6, SD 2.0), ASD 38, 12.0, 2.3), typically developing (TDC; n 50, 2.0) were clinically diagnosed assessed parent-ratings at baseline two-year follow-up (97% retention). Results showed that both individuals displayed elevated levels problems relative to TDC (Hedges g 1.99 2.99). Over period, improved TDC, whereas no improvement TDC. At follow-up, continued display 1.61 3.19).