Abstract

BRIGIDO, Evelina; RODRIGUES, Ana  and  SANTOS, Sofa. CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BEHAVIORAL PROFILES, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING AND EMPATHY IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: GUIDELINES FOR INTERVENTION. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2022, vol.28, e0033.  Epub Nov 23, 2021. ISSN 1980-5470.  https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-54702022v28e0033.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction and by restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, eventually explained by difficulties in executive functions (EF) and empathy. Tus, the aim of this investigation was to study the relationships between typical behaviors of ASD, EF and empathy, in order to establish intervention guidelines. Te ASD Typical Behavior Questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for parents (BRIEF) and the Empathy Assessment Scale (EAS) were applied to 75 children with ASD (9.67±1.29). Te results showed positive correlations between the symptomatology of ASD and E F, namely in behavioral regulation and metacognition. Te strongest positive correlation (p<.01) occurred between shifting and total behaviors (r=.660), and restricted and repetitive patterns (r=.665) and communication and social interaction (r=.536). All domains and subdomains had correlations with initiation and planning. There were no correlations between the domains and subdomains of ASD and empathy, only with some specific behaviors. It was verified that cognitive empathy was associated with behavioral regulation. Tese results suggest that EF and empathy are essential to improve the social and non-social deficits of the ASD and the importance of individualized intervention centered on the characteristics of the ASD, empathy and E F, namely on the behavioral regulation and metacognition. Te intervention must cover not only the symptoms of the ASD, but also cognitive processes that enable the improvement of behaviors and better adaptation to different contexts and situations.

Keywords : Autism Spectrum Disorder; Executive Functions; Empathy; Individualized Intervention.

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