Measuring Executive Functions in Childhood: Problems and Solutions?
Abstract
In this review we outline some of the current issues surrounding the measurement of executive function (EF) in children. Beginning with the theoretical background to the concept of EF we then review the difficulties in measuring EF in adult populations, and argue that these difficulties may, at least in part, be overcome when working with children, so that developmental studies of EF may provide special insights into the organisation of EF. Next, we review three research areas that have attracted considerable interest in childhood EF: (i) developmental disorders; (ii) new methodologies for investigating the normative development of EF (including three task batteries – CANTAB, TEA‐Ch and MARS); and (iii) the relationship between Theory of Mind (ToM) and EF. Finally, we consider what progress has been made so far in the fractionation of EF into component processes, and what remains to be done to achieve this important goal.
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Autism is associated with high-level (i.e., cognitive) and non-spatial executive function impairments.
“Autism is associated with high-level (i.e., cognitive) and non-spatial EF impairments (Hughes and Graham, 2002); relatives of autism individuals also display a similar profile of impairments (Hughes et al., 1997).”
From Assessment of executive functions in school-aged children: A narrative review (2022) · cites this paper as Hughes and Graham, 2002
In autism, working memory impairments are more controversial.
“In autism, WM impairments are more controversial (Hughes and Graham, 2002).”
From Assessment of executive functions in school-aged children: A narrative review (2022) · cites this paper as Hughes and Graham, 2002
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- Authors
- Hughes, C., & Graham, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (GB)
- ORCID
- Hughes, Claire
- Venue
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-08-06
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 131-142
- ISSN
- 1475-357X (ISSN-L)
- 1475-3588
- OpenAlex
- W2022821450
- Cited by
- 297
- References
- 94
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 6.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- executive function, children, developmental disorders, normative development, CANTAB, Mars, theory of mind, neuropsychological assessment
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