Developing and piloting a new parent-report measure of executive function for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Main Author: Ledger-Hardy, Laurie
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2017
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.746929

This thesis focuses on executive functioning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is presented in three parts. Part 1 presents a systematic literature review examining the degree of executive function difficulties in children with ASD. The review focused on studies which used the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), an informant-report rating scale, with children with ASD and a typically developing (TD) control group. Using a metaanalysis, the review found large effect sizes on the BRIEF, demonstrating that children with ASD are reported to have substantial executive function difficulties when compared to TD children. Part 2, the empirical research paper, describes the development and piloting of a new parent-report measure of executive function in children with ASD. Qualitative data generated through interviews were analysed and used to develop the measure. The measure was then piloted on the internet with parents of children with ASD and parents of TD children. The psychometric properties of the measure were examined, revealing promising indications of reliability and validity. Limitations of the measure and its relationship to the BRIEF are discussed. Part 3 is a critical appraisal of the research process. Limitations of both the study and measure are presented, before discussing methodological challenges that arose throughout the project. Consideration is given to broader conceptual issues, before finally offering reflections on the research process and on my own personal development.