高功能自閉症類群障礙兒童的執行功能表現探究

Exploration of the Executive Function of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

研究目的：本研究之目的是探索高功能自閉症類群障礙（High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, HFASD）兒童的執行功能表現。研究方法：於2014年8月至2016年5月期間進行研究收案，受試者包括生理年齡介於7至10歲的30名HFASD兒童和27名一般發展兒童，以實驗室認知作業評估執行功能，和請家長填寫學齡兒童執行功能行為評定量表，評估日常生活執行功能行為表現，進一步探索兩者之間的關聯性。研究結果：在執行功能的認知作業結果方面，HFASD組的表現與一般發展組相較，不論空間或語文工作記憶表現皆未有明顯缺損；抑制分心物干擾能力表現弱而強勢反應抑制能力相對完整，但反應時間皆顯著較長；認知彈性表現較差並非受限於較低的自我監控能力。執行功能行為表現方面，各向度表現皆明顯落後一般發展組，認知作業表現和問卷表現則無顯著關聯性。研究結論：本研究結果具備下述研究價值：（1）HFASD兒童具獨特的執行功能表現形態；（2）認知作業反映執行功能的「基礎能力」，問卷評估則反映執行功能的「行為表現」，兩者可能指涉不同的執行功能意涵，需進一步深究之。

Purpose: In the past literature, executive function (EF) deficit in the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were not conclusive due to some methodological issues such as IQ and task chosen. Thereby, this study explores the EF using lab-based task and self-report questionnaire for the children with high-functioning ASD (HFASD). Methods: We measured 30 children aged 7–10 years with HFASD and 27 control participants (Non- ASDs). EF measurements included six performance-based executive function tasks, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) questionnaire, which was completed by parents with respect to the daily life executive performance of their children. Results: Results indicated that compared with Non-ASDs, HFASD children showed relatively intact verbal and spatial working memory. Their ability to resist distractor interference was better than prepotent response inhibition, with longer reaction times on both tasks. Additionally, poor cognitive shifting performance was not due to low selfmonitoring in the HFASD group. The HFASD children had elevated scores on all BRIEF scales. There was no significant relationship between the performance-based EF task and the questionnaire. Conclusions: The results showed: (1) The EF profile of HFASD children was unique; (2) While the performance-based tasks reflected basic EF ability, the EF questionnaire may reflect performance behavior related to EF, which needed to be differentiated.