We often associate impairment in executive function with conditions like ADHD, with an image of a young person who struggles to focus or sustain attention, acts impulsively and finds it hard to juggle competing tasks. However, such impairments in what’s called executive function are linked with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Neurodevelopmental conditions affect about one in ten children. These conditions affect learning, behaviour and development. Executive function delays are core to the challenges people with neurodevelopmental conditions experience.
Previous research has suggested that differences in executive functioning processes may underpin variations in presentations or diagnoses.
But in fact, new University of Sydney research shows executive function problems are similar across all neurodevelopmental conditions. Understanding these common issues could lead to better access to supports before waiting for a specific diagnosis.
Researchers looked at 180 studies, over 45 years, that compared executive function skills across two or more neurodevelopmental conditions. They brought the research together for all neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, communication disorders and intellectual disabilities.
Surprisingly, researchers found most neurodevelopmental conditions showed very similar delays in executive skills. Children with ADHD showed difficulties with attention and impulse control, for example, but so did children with autism, communication and specific learning conditions.
There were very few differences between each neurodevelopmental condition and the type of executive delay.
By thinking of these delays/impairments as a commonality across neurodevelopmental conditions, we might be better able to facilitate support for these children, perhaps without having to wait for a specific diagnosis to be made. Offering common interventions to help children with these conditions develop their executive functioning skills could have a huge impact.
Another benefit could be more integrated research for children in need.
Further information
Executive function in children with neurodevelopmental conditions-a systematic review and meta-analysis: Nature Human Behaviour
