20648
Early Temperamental Persistence and Associations with Later Executive Functioning
Objectives: To examine if parent report of child’s persistence in early childhood is associated with executive function skills and gains in adaptive skills in middle childhood.
Methods: Prior to age 7, 90 parents of children with ASD completed the Carey Temperament Scale (CTS; McDevitt & Carey, 1984), which includes a Persistence Dimension Score. Approximately five years later, they returned for a follow-up visit and completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Giola, Isquith, Guy & Kenworthy, 2000) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Sparrow, Cicchetti & Bella, 2005).
Results: Current results demonstrate a link between parent report of the child’s persistence in early childhood and executive function skills in middle childhood. Significant associations were observed for initiation (r=.39), working memory (r=.41) and plan/organize (r=.32), as well as the global executive composite score (r=.34). Examination of associations between persistence, executive function and adaptive skills are underway.
Conclusions: Preliminary analyses suggest that early temperamental persistence is a potential precursor for later executive problems. Identifying early risk factors from a neurocognitive perspective allows for earlier, and more targeted interventions, as well as studies from a neurobiological perspective.
See more of: Diagnostic, Behavioral & Intellectual Assessment