Executive function among adults with autism spectrum disorder: An eye-tracking study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Eye movement abnormalities are common in ASD, suggesting underlying cognitive impairments such as working memory and response inhibition. However, several investigations suggest deficits in inhibitory control and working memory among individuals with ASD, whereas others indicate performance levels similar to typically developing individuals. The variability observed in executive function (EF) profiles across various tasks and age cohorts underscores the intricate interplay between ASD and cognitive functioning. Therefore, to bridge these gaps and gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific components of EF affected by ASD, this study used eye-tracking technology to analyze cognitive processing. In the working memory task, the clinical group comprised adults with ASD (<i>N</i> = 52), aged between 25 and 47 years (<i>M</i> = 31.65 years, <i>SD</i> = 6.05), while the control group (non-ASD) included individuals (<i>N</i> = 53), aged between 25 and 55 years (<i>M</i> = 33.15 years, <i>SD</i> = 5.92). For the response inhibition task, the clinical group consisted of adults with ASD (<i>N</i> = 50), aged between 25 and 47 years (<i>M</i> = 31.66 years, <i>SD</i> = 6.153), and the control group comprising individuals (<i>N</i> = 56), aged between 25 and 55 years (<i>M</i> = 33.03 years, <i>SD</i> = 5.80). The study revealed that individuals with ASD demonstrate notable impairments and increased errors in EF, encompassing inhibitory control and working memory when compared to non-ASD individuals. Additionally, individuals with ASD exhibited differences in fixation duration, saccade count, and fixation count compared to their non-ASD counterparts, further highlighting the distinct cognitive profile associated with ASD. Analyzing EF in adults with ASD through eye movement patterns provides valuable insights into the underlying cognitive processes and attentional mechanisms at play.