A cross-sectional study of inhibitory control in young children with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT

Inhibitory control (IC) ability in early childhood is associated with positive socioemotional, academic, and behavioural outcomes later in life. However, inhibitory control in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not well understood. We conducted a large, cross-sectional study comparing IC ability of young children with ASD and typical development (TD). We also sought to understand how individual differences, such as child age, sex, and verbal ability, are related to IC performance. Participants included 183 preschool-aged children with ASD (n = 63) and TD (n = 120) from a larger study on self-regulation. Children with ASD performed similarly to their peers with TD on a Stroop-like inhibition task. Age and sex differences in IC performance were observed across both developmental groups. These findings have important implications for early intervention and early childhood education.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• autism spectrum disorder
• developmental disability
• inhibitory control
• executive function
• young children
• preschool

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Seattle Pacific University under a Seattle Pacific University Senior Faculty Grant and School of Psychology, Family, & Community Faculty Research Grant to the second author.

Notes on contributors

Vanessa Zhou

Vanessa Zhou is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests include executive function and autism spectrum disorder in early childhood.

Beverly J. Wilson

Beverly J. Wilson is a professor of clinical psychology at Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests include how self-regulation and emotion processes are related to positive development in children with developmental disabilities.