Generativity Abilities Predict Communication Deficits but Not Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: The executive dysfunction theory of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggests that repetitive behaviors may be linked to impaired executive function, specifically generativity and inhibition. Individuals with ASD often demonstrate impaired generativity, although findings on the relationship to autism symptomatology have been inconsistent. One study found that impaired generativity was correlated to repetitive behaviors (sameness behavior and circumscribed interests), but another study found that generativity was not related repetitive behaviors, but rather communicative abilities.

Objectives: The present study evaluated generativity using two ideational fluency tasks in children with and without ASD. We hypothesized that the ASD group would be characterized by deficits on both generativity tasks, and that generativity scores would be correlated with symptoms of repetitive behaviors in individuals with ASD.

Methods: The generativity measures consisted of the Use of Objects task and an Animals Fluency Task. Participants included 39 children with ASD and 42 typically developing children aged 6-17 years with an IQ above 70. Autism symptoms were measured using parent questionnaires including the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), the Children’s Communication Checklist, 2nd edition (CCC-2), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R). Diagnosis of ASD was confirmed by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised.

Results: Groups differed significantly on three of four metrics from the Animals Fluency Task and five of seven metrics from the Use of Objects task. Overall, the ASD group gave fewer total and correct responses and a trend towards more redundant responses on the Objects task and more repetitions on the Animals task. In the ASD sample, no significant relations were found between generativity and repetitive behaviors (as measured by the total and subscale scores on the RBS-R). Significant relations were found between performance on the Animals Fluency Task and communication symptoms (as measured by the CCC-2 total exclusive of items assessing social deficits and repetitive behaviors).

Conclusions: Results replicate reports of generativity deficits in ASD and suggest that impaired generativity may reflect communication deficits that are characteristic of the disorder.