Executive Function & ASD

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects cognitive processes, notably executive functioning (EF), manifesting as deficits in goal selection and initiation, memory and adaptation to changing contexts. Understanding these aspects helps shape support programs for individuals with ASD, such as private tutoring. The author suggests using coding analogies to explain these concepts to parents from a bioinformatics background, taking into account the spectrum nature of ASD. Cognitive remediation techniques, such as “chunking,” and animal-assisted therapies can be beneficial in improving EF, particularly in a one-on-one tutoring setup.