Probing Heterogeneity to Identify Individualized Treatment Approaches in Autism: Specific Clusters of Executive Function Challenges Link to Distinct Co-occurring Mental Health Problems

Overview

Journal Autism

Date 2024 Apr 20

PMID 38642028

Authors

Cara E Pugliese

Rebecca Handsman

Xiaozhen You

Laura Gutermuth Anthony

Chandan Vaidya

Lauren Kenworthy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Many autistic people struggle with mental health problems like anxiety, depression, inattention, and aggression, which can be challenging to treat. Executive function challenges, which impact many autistic individuals, may serve as a risk factor for mental health problems or make treating mental health conditions more difficult. While some people respond well to medication or therapy, others do not. This study tried to understand if there are different subgroups of autistic young people who may have similar patterns of executive function strengths and challenges-like flexibility, planning, self-monitoring, and emotion regulation. Then, we investigated whether executive function subgroups were related to mental health problems in autistic youth. We found three different types of executive function subgroups in autistic youth, each with different patterns of mental health problems. This helps us identify specific profiles of executive function strengths and challenges that may be helpful with identifying personalized supports, services, and treatment strategies for mental health conditions.

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