[Evaluation and comparison of performance perseveration and mental flexibility in children with autism spectrum disorder, mentally retarded and normal children]

Executive function is a concept which denotes the mental process and the ability to control the mind and body, cognition and emotion to guide behavior toward the goal and generally includes planning, working memory, impulse control, inhibition and flexibility. This study compared children with autism spectrum disorders, mentally retarded and normal children with one another in regard to mental flexibility [variability] and performance perseveration. In this cross-sectional study 15 child with autism spectrum disorder, 15 mentally retarded and 15 normal children were selected by using simple sampling method and examined by means of Neuro-psychological Wisconsin card sorting test. Data analysis was performed by means of descriptive statistics [mean and standard deviation] and inferential statistics i.e. one way ANOVA, post hoc analysis [LSD] and Kruscal Wallis test. Data analysis showed a significant difference among the 3 groups in regard to the component categories achieved [p=0.000] and perseveration [p=0.000]. The comparison of the groups two by two showed significant differences. Comparison of the children with autism spectrum disorders with normal children [p=0.01] and also comparison of the mentally retarded with normal children showed significant differences [p=0.01]. The results showed that children with autism spectrum disorders and children with mental retardation had more problems in regard to executive function than the normal group. Considering comorbidities among children with autism spectrum disorder and children with mental retardation, children with mental retardation showed more fundamental impairment in executive function. The results of this study support the hypothesis that IQ has a strong role in executive function