Executive Function and Neurodevelopmental Disorder in Child

Abstract

  The core function of the prefrontal cortex is control. One of the functions of the prefrontal cortex is the executive function. The executive function is responsible for higher-order control. Executive function is necessary for humans to establish a high level of adaptive relationship with the environment. The prefrontal cortex is slow to mature, and development of executive function takes time. The Tinkertoy Test (TTT) is used to evaluate executive function. TTT is suitable for children. We examined age- and gender-related differences in TTT, the relationship between executive function and language (left cerebral hemisphere) / visuoconstructive (right cerebral hemisphere) abilities, and neurodevelopmental factors/disorders. The results are as follows : 1) TTT scores for children in their 4s to 6s were about the same, 2) TTT scored high for male children, 3) the correlations between TTT scores and scores of the language / visuoconstructive tasks were low, 4) TTT scores were low due to factors such as younger age (2s and 3s) , ID, left-handedness, ASD, and female. From the results, the executive function of children is considered as follows : 1) executive function requires neurodevelopment after 4 years of age, 2) gender differences may exist, 3) executive function may develop independently of language / visuoconstructive abilities, 4) development of executive function is delayed or biased due to neurodevelopmental problems, 5) the executive function of neurodevelopmental disorders is characterized by difficulty in setting goals, building complexity, self-correction, and weakness of inhibition. In order to intervention, it is important to rise awareness of control and be objective by utilizing language or other means, and to activate control by loading functions.