Prepotent response inhibition in autism: Not an inhibitory deficit?

Researchers tested the ability to stop automatic responses in 244 autistic and non-autistic adults aged 20-80. They found autistic adults performed similarly to non-autistic adults on most measures. There was a small difference when accounting for response speed, but overall the groups showed very similar patterns of self-control throughout adulthood. Both groups became more careful with age.

This study examined prepotent response inhibition (the ability to suppress automatic responses) in 105 autistic adults and 139 non-autistic adults aged 20-80 years using a Go-NoGo task. Results showed no significant differences in inhibitory errors or post-error adaptation between groups. However, when controlling for reaction time, autistic individuals made modestly more inhibitory errors (small effect size). Exploratory analyses suggested autistic adults may show altered adaptive behavior during inhibitory tasks.

ADHD symptoms were associated with response variability only in the autism group. Both groups showed age-related changes in task strategy, becoming slower and more cautious with age. The findings suggest largely similar inhibitory performance between autistic and non-autistic adults throughout adulthood.

Findings suggest autistic adults do not have significant inhibitory deficits compared to non-autistic adults. Clinicians should be cautious about attributing behavioral challenges solely to inhibitory control problems. Assessment and intervention approaches may need to consider task strategy differences rather than fundamental inhibitory deficits.

Study relied on a single inhibitory task (Go-NoGo) which may not capture all aspects of inhibitory control. The exploratory nature of some analyses limits confidence in findings about adaptive behavior. ADHD symptom measurement details are not provided in the abstract.

Research outcomes on prepotent response inhibition in neurodevelopmental conditions during adulthood seem inconsistent, especially in autism. To gain further insight in these inconsistencies, the current study investigates inhibitory performance, as well as task strategies such as adaptive behavior during inhibitory tasks in autistic adults. As Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often co-occurring in autism and associated with differences in both inhibition and adaptation, the role of ADHD symptoms is explored. Additionally, prior research is extended to middle- and late-adulthood, and the role of cognitive aging is assessed.

Hundred-and-five autistic adults and 139 non-autistic adults (age: 20-80 yrs) were compared on a Go-NoGo task. No significant group differences in inhibitory difficulties (commission errors) or adaptation (post error slowing) were observed, and both did not relate significantly to ADHD symptoms. However, when controlling for reaction time autistic individuals made significantly more inhibitory errors than non-autistic individuals, yet the effect size was modest (Cohen's d = .27). Exploratory analyses showed that adaption significantly related to inhibition in non-autistic individuals only, possibly hinting at altered adaptive behavior during inhibitory tasks in autistic adults.

ADHD symptoms related to response variability in the autism group only. Furthermore, task strategy changed with older age in both groups, with slower and more cautious responses at older age. Taken together, although minor differences may exist, autistic and non-autistic people show largely similar patterns of inhibitory behavior throughout adulthood. Differences in task timing and strategy seem relevant for future longitudinal studies on cognitive aging across neurodevelopmental conditions.