Executive Functioning: A Mediator Between Sensory Processing and Behaviour in Autism Spectrum Disorder
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Executive Functioning: A Mediator Between Sensory Processing and Behaviour in Autism Spectrum Disorder Montse Fernandez‑Prieto1,2 · Célia Moreira3 · Sara Cruz4 · Vânia Campos5 · Rocío Martínez‑Regueiro2 · Maria Taboada6 · Angel Carracedo1,2 · Adriana Sampaio5
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, executive functioning, sensory-perceptual abilities and behaviour, such as anxious/depressed states, attention problems, aggression, or somatic complains. However, the dynamic relationship between these dimensions remains to be addressed. Therefore, we explored the link between executive functions, sensory processing and behaviour in 79 children and adolescents with ASD. Results showed significant associations between all dimensions—executive functions, sensory processing and behaviour. Furthermore, using structural equation modelling methods, we observed a mediation effect of executive functioning, specifically the domain pertaining to emotion regulation and control, and in the relationship between sensory processing abnormalities and behavioural problems. We discuss the importance of emotion regulation as a mediator between sensory processing and behavioural impairments and its impact in social competence in ASD. Keywords ASD · Sensory processing · Behaviour · Executive functions · Emotion regulation and control
Introduction The worldwide prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been increasing over time and it was estimated to be 62/10,000 in 2012 (Elsabbagh et al. 2012). In the United
* Montse Fernandez‑Prieto [email protected] 1
Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2
Genomics and Bioinformatics, CiMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
3
Department of Mathematics and Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto (FCUP & CMUP), Porto, Portugal
4
Psychology for Positive Development Research Center, Universidade Lusíada - Norte, Porto, Portugal
5
Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
6
Applied Artificial Intelligence Lab, Deparment of Electronics and Computer Science, ETSE, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
States, for example, the most recent study (Christensen et al. 2019) showed an increase in the overall ASD prevalence among children aged 4 years: 13.4/1000 in 2010, 15.3/1000 in 2012, and 17.0/1000 in 2014. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, and by restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013). Over recent years, abnormal patterns of sensory-perceptual processin
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