Autism Therapy: executive function

definition of executive function: not yet defined.

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The Contributions of Executive Functions to Participation in School Activities of Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Zingerevich, C., and LaVesser PD, published in 2009, summarized May 19, 2009

Occupational therapists (OT) may be able to best help children with autism by addressing problems with executive function as well as sensory processing.

This study was designed to see if the ability to think clearly affects whether or not a child can function well in the school setting. This study was designed with occupational therapists and occupational therapy in mind. The results show that children who cannot think clearly are less likely to be active in school functions. The study also looked at sensory processing issues in the children and found them to also be important for a child to function well at school. Other factors that may be important include motor skills, social skills, and emotional skills.


Long-Term Effects of Neurofeedback Treatment in Autism
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Kouijzer, MEJ, deMoor JMH, Gerrits BJL, Buitelaar JK, and vanSchie HT, published in 2009, summarized May 18, 2009

Neurofeedback therapy may help to train a more flexible brain and therefore improve executive functions and social behavior in children with autism.

The authors published research showing that 40 sessions of neurofeedback treatment improved autism symptoms in seven children. This study looks to see if neurofeedback therapy results in lasting gains in social skills and IQ. This second study compares 12-month follow-up data with pre-and post-data from the first study. The authors suggest that the neurofeedback therapy worked by teaching the children how to decrease the theta power and activity of a part of the brain. The authors suggest that the children in the study achieved changes to the structure of the brain that are long lasting.


Neurofeedback Improves Executive Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Kouijzer, MEJ, deMoor JMH, Gerrits BJL, Congedo M., and vanSchie HT, published in 2009, summarized Mar 9, 2009

Neurofeedback may help children with autism think more clearly and have improved social behavior.

This study was designed to see if neurofeedback therapy could help children with autism think more clearly and do a better job with thinking tasks. The treatment was first designed for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and used in this study to treat seven children with autism. Five of the children showed reduced theta power and increased low beta power in their brains after neurofeedback therapy. The authors suggest that these changes in brain waves may also be changing the structure of the brain. The children were also better at doing a wide range of tasks.


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