Autism traits and real-world executive functioning in parents of children with disabilities and undergraduates

This paper reports the investigation of Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) traits and real-world executive function with two samples–parents of children with autism or other (non-autism) developmental disabilities (n = 104) and undergraduates (n = 147). Participants self-reported BAP traits (Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire [BAPQ; Hurley et al., 2007]) and real-world-executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult [BRIEF-A]). Parents evidencing the BAP demonstrated higher means and percentage of clinically significant range scores (t-score ≥ 65) on all BRIEF-A scales compared to controls. In regression analyses, Shift predicted all BAPQ scores. Inhibit was an additional significant predictor for Total and Pragmatic Language; both Inhibit and Plan/Organize were additional significant predictors for Rigid. Undergraduates evidencing the BAP demonstrated higher means and percentage of clinically significant range scores for five of the twelve BRIEF-A scales: Shift, Emotional Control, Initiate, Plan/Organize, and the Metacognition Index. In regression analyses, Shift was a significant predictor for three BAPQ scores (Total, Aloof, and Rigid); Pragmatic Language was predicted by Working Memory. These findings show the increased likelihood of real-world-executive functioning deficits in the BAP but also demonstrate the variation in skills within this population. Regression results underscore the importance of Shift (i.e., cognitive/behavioral flexibility) in BAP symptomatology, but did not exclusively favor Shift as in prior research. These results provide insight into relations among BAP/executive function constructs and suggest multiple avenues for future research.