Objectives: Autism is one subsets of pervasive developmental disorders that are characterized by abnormal behaviors and verbal communication. In recent years, the reason for this communication disorder has been developed for determining executive function. The current study investigated the feasibility of audiovisual stimulation intervention focused on enhancing executive function in children with high-functioning autism.
Methods: 41 children diagnosed with high functioning autism randomly selected and assigned in to experimental (20) and control (21) group. Initially both of groups were administered by the "Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning Test". Then intervention group received 18 sessions of audiovisual stimulation across 6 weeks and two groups were administered by test again.
Results: Multivariate analysis was used to compare significant advances in variables progress. Considering significance level, outcome indicates that audio visual stimulation used in the present study increased executive function (inhibition, shifting and planning ability) based on Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning measures (F=5.55, P<0.05, F=24.587, P<0.05, F=15.28, P<0.05).
Discussion: These findings suggest that the audiovisual stimulation platform is a promising tool for improving executive function subsets. Similarly, the use of such technology that is user friendly appears to prevent onset of early behavioral problems and executive dysfunction in children with autism.