Improving Executive Functioning Skills in Children with Autism through Cognitive Training Program

Abstract

Autistic spectrum disorders are disorders that affect many aspects of thinking and learning. Specific intervention program should be provided for autistic to overcome the problem due to weaknesses in cognitive process. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cognitive training in improving executive functioning skills among children with autism. The present study focused on skills in attention, working memory, transitioning, emotional regulation, abstract planning, impulse control, flexibility, and problem solving skills. This case study was conducted at National Autistic Society of Malaysia involving 10 children, age range between four to 12 years old. This study used the Cognitive Training Program which was designed for the purpose to train cognitive skills in children with autism. The data collection period were four months. Data collection methods used were observation, interviews and document analysis. The observation was conducted five times during the training session. Two sets of interview questions were designed and used in four interview sessions. The findings showed that this training were successfully improved executive functioning skills among participants but it depends on their ability to response to the training. Overall findings showed that participants were good in executive functions training. As a conclusion, cognitive training program is necessarily provided to help autistic children expand executive functioning skills effectively. Research implications indicate that cognitive training program should be promoted and expand to parents, teachers, caretaker and anyone who are engage with autistic children as an alternative intervention to be practiced systematically.