There is a consensus on the centrality of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet the origins of these behaviors are still debated. We reconsider whether executive function (EF) accounts of RRBs should be revisited. EF deficits and high levels of RRBs are often pronounced in individuals with ASD and are also prevalent in young typically developing children. Despite this, the evidence is mixed, and there has been no systematic attempt to evaluate the relationship across studies and between task batteries. We examine recent evidence, and in three highly powered random-effects analyses (N = 2964), examine the strength of the association between RRB levels and performance on set shifting, inhibitory control, and parental-report based EF batteries. The analyses confirm significant associations between high levels of the behaviors and poor EF skills. Moreover, the associations remained stable across typical development and in individuals with ASD and across different types of EF measures. These meta-analyses consolidate recent evidence identifying that cognitive mechanisms correlate with high RRBs that are seen in individuals with ASD, as well as in typical development. We propose that the EF account may be critical for guiding future interventions in ASD research.

中文翻译：

---

执行功能技能与受限和重复行为有关：三项相关元分析

关于限制性和重复性行为 (RRB) 在自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 诊断中的中心地位已达成共识，但这些行为的起源仍有争议。我们重新考虑是否应重新审视 RRB 的执行功能 (EF) 账户。EF 缺陷和高水平的 RRB 通常在 ASD 患者中很明显，并且在发育正常的年轻儿童中也很普遍。尽管如此，证据是混合的，并且没有系统地尝试评估研究之间和任务组之间的关系。我们检查了最近的证据，并在三个强大的随机效应分析（N = 2964)，检查 RRB 水平与设置转换、抑制控制和基于父母报告的 EF 电池性能之间的关联强度。分析证实了高水平的行为与较差的 EF 技能之间的显着关联。此外，这些关联在典型发育和 ASD 个体以及不同类型的 EF 测量中保持稳定。这些荟萃分析巩固了最近的证据，这些证据表明认知机制与在 ASD 个体以及典型发育中看到的高 RRB 相关。我们建议 EF 帐户可能对指导 ASD 研究的未来干预至关重要。