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Evangelia Chrysanthi Kouklari
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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Evdokia Tagkouli
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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Vassiliki Ntre
Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital
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Artemios Pehlivanidis
National and KapodistrianUniversity of Athens,
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Nikolaos Stefanis
First Department of Psychiatry, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Katerina Papanikolaou
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Presenter
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Abstract
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Schizotypal traits are frequently observed in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both ASD and schizotypy are associated with executive function (EF) deficits, encompassing both "cool" and "hot" EF processes. Given the overlap in these cognitive impairments, it is crucial to explore how their co-occurrence influences EF performance. This study examined the effects of co-existing autistic and schizotypal traits on EF in a sample of 63 children with ASD, aged 7 to 12 years. Participants were evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), the Melbourne Assessment of Schizotypy in Kids (MASK), and a comprehensive set of hot and cool EF tasks. Correlational analyses revealed a significant relationship between schizotypal traits (MASK scores) and working memory, as well as between autistic traits (ADOS scores) and various cool EF components, including working memory, inhibition, and planning. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the interaction between autistic and schizotypal traits significantly predicted performance on hot EF tasks, specifically affective decision-making, but not on cool EF measures. These findings highlight that the co-occurrence of ASD and schizotypal traits may differentially impact distinct EF domains. A deeper understanding of how these traits interact to shape cognitive functioning could contribute to the development of more targeted interventions and support strategies for individuals exhibiting both autistic and schizotypal characteristics.
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