Preliminary Psychometrics for the Executive Function Challenge Task: A Novel, "Hot" Flexibility, and Planning Task for Youth. (17th August 2020)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Preliminary Psychometrics for the Executive Function Challenge Task: A Novel, "Hot" Flexibility, and Planning Task for Youth. (17th August 2020)
- Main Title:
- Preliminary Psychometrics for the Executive Function Challenge Task: A Novel, "Hot" Flexibility, and Planning Task for Youth
- Authors:
- Kenworthy, Lauren
Freeman, Andrew
Ratto, Allison
Dudley, Katerina
Powell, Kelly K.
Pugliese, Cara E.
Strang, John F.
Verbalis, Alyssa
Anthony, Laura G. - Abstract:
- Abstract: Objective: Executive functions (EF) drive health and educational outcomes and therefore are increasingly common treatment targets. Most treatment trials rely on questionnaires to capture meaningful change because ecologically valid, pediatric performance-based EF tasks are lacking. The Executive Function Challenge Task (EFCT) is a standardized, treatment-sensitive, objective measure which assesses flexibility and planning in the context of provocative social interactions, making it a "hot" EF task. Method: We investigate the structure, reliability, and validity of the EFCT in youth with autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder; n = 129), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with flexibility problems ( n = 93), and typically developing (TD; n = 52) youth. Results: The EFCT can be coded reliably, has a two-factor structure (flexibility and planning), and adequate internal consistency and consistency across forms. Unlike a traditional performance-based EF task (verbal fluency), it shows significant correlations with parent-reported EF, indicating ecological validity. EFCT performance distinguishes youth with known EF problems from TD youth and is not significantly related to visual pattern recognition, or social communication/understanding in autistic children. Conclusions: The EFCT demonstrates adequate reliability and validity and may provide developmentally appropriate, treatment-sensitive, and ecologically valid assessment of "hot" EF in youth. It can beAbstract: Objective: Executive functions (EF) drive health and educational outcomes and therefore are increasingly common treatment targets. Most treatment trials rely on questionnaires to capture meaningful change because ecologically valid, pediatric performance-based EF tasks are lacking. The Executive Function Challenge Task (EFCT) is a standardized, treatment-sensitive, objective measure which assesses flexibility and planning in the context of provocative social interactions, making it a "hot" EF task. Method: We investigate the structure, reliability, and validity of the EFCT in youth with autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder; n = 129), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with flexibility problems ( n = 93), and typically developing (TD; n = 52) youth. Results: The EFCT can be coded reliably, has a two-factor structure (flexibility and planning), and adequate internal consistency and consistency across forms. Unlike a traditional performance-based EF task (verbal fluency), it shows significant correlations with parent-reported EF, indicating ecological validity. EFCT performance distinguishes youth with known EF problems from TD youth and is not significantly related to visual pattern recognition, or social communication/understanding in autistic children. Conclusions: The EFCT demonstrates adequate reliability and validity and may provide developmentally appropriate, treatment-sensitive, and ecologically valid assessment of "hot" EF in youth. It can be administered in controlled settings by masked administrators. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. Volume 26:Number 7(2020)
- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
- Issue:
- Volume 26:Number 7(2020)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 26, Issue 7 (2020)
- Year:
- 2020
- Volume:
- 26
- Issue:
- 7
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2020-0026-0007-0000
- Page Start:
- 725
- Page End:
- 732
- Publication Date:
- 2020-08-17
- Subjects:
- Autism, -- Behavior, -- ADHD, -- Cognition, -- Objective, -- Measurement
Neuropsychology -- Periodicals
616.8 - Journal URLs:
- http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=INS ↗
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S135561772000017X ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 1355-6177
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store
- Ingest File:
- 15061.xml