Executive Function in pervasive developmental disorders

Executive function (EF) is as a group of relatively independent cognitive abilities that includes working memory, inhibitory control, shifting, planning and attentional control. This research aims to study the executive profile in children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Literature demonstrates that people with PDD have difficulties in tasks that requires inhibition or shifting abilities. Our results show some differences in the executive profile between children with Asperger Nyndrome (AS) and children with PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDDnos). Children with AS show a better executive profile than children with PDDnos: PDDnos sample displays significant also in the inhibitory control and in the complex functions that involve also inhibition.