Abstract Asperger Syndrome (AS) is part of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and it affects cognitive, social and motor areas of who presents it. AS is associated with Executive Function deficit (EF) that promotes interaction, social communication and academic performance problems at early ages. Purpose. To analyze AS and EF deficit symptoms association, and AS symptomatology prevalence rates on preschoolers. Method. Screening of child psychopathology and EF instruments were used, and Pearson correlations were analyzed. Results. A prevalence of 0.6% (reported by parents) and 0.2% (reported by teachers) of AS symptoms was founded from 539 children sample; significant correlations with EF deficits and internalizing disorders symptoms. Conclusions. EF deficiencies associated with AS might be detected since preschooler ages, intervention resulting necessary from that age in order to decrease typical academic, emotional, and social difficulties on children with AS.

Resumen El Síndrome de Asperger (SA) forma parte de los Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo, afectando el área cognitiva, social y motriz de quien lo presenta. Se asocia a déficits en la Función Ejecutiva (FE) que promueven problemas en la interacción y la comunicación social, y en el desarrollo académico desde edades tempranas. Propósito. Analizar la asociación de los síntomas de SA y déficits en la FE, y los índices de prevalencias de sintomatología de SA en edad preescolar. Método. A partir de la aplicación de instrumento de cribado de las psicopatologías infantiles, y un instrumento para la evaluación de la FE, se realizaron correlaciones. Resultados. En una muestra de 539 niños, se encontró una prevalencia de 0.6% (reportada por padres) y 0.2% (reportada por maestras) de síntomas de SA; correlaciones significativas con déficits de la FE, y con síntomas de trastornos internalizados. Conclusiones. Las deficiencias en la FE asociadas al SA pueden ser detectadas desde edad preescolar, así resulta necesario intervenir desde entonces para disminuir las dificultades académicas, emocionales y sociales típicas en los niños con SA.

Ainda é pouco o que se sabe do funcionamento do Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) e do Transtorno Bipolar Pediátrico (TBP), já que atualmente os investigadores não concordam quanto a uma diferenciação da Função Executiva (FE) nos dois transtornos. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar os déficits da FE associados às sintomatologias de TDAH e do fenótipo do TBP. Foram avaliados 76 crianças/adolescentes com idades entre 6-17 anos e seus pais, com uma entrevista diagnóstica e um instrumento para avaliação da FE, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Modelos de equações estruturais foram usados para examinar associações entre a sintomatologia de TDAH e do fenótipo de TBP, e a FE. Foi realizado um modelo para pais e outro para crianças/adolescentes. Os índices do modelo indicaram um ajuste satisfatório. Foi encontrado que o TDAH está associado a deficiências em todas as áreas da FE, sobretudo se a sintomatologia predominante é a desatenção. A presença de sintomatologia do fenótipo de TBP somente apresentou associação a dificuldades na busca de novas estratégias na solução de problemas e na inibição de novas condutas. Conclui-se que a presença de sintomatologia de TDAH está associada a deficiências cognitivas diferentes das que podem estar presentes no TBP. É recomendável que os profissionais considerem o perfil neurocognitivo de seus pacientes para alcançarem um diagnóstico diferencial adequado.

Very little is known about the differences of the neurocognitive functioning of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Paediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD), since current studies do not agree on a differentiation of Executive Function (EF) between the two disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the EF deficits associated with symptomatology of ADHD and the PBD phenotype. Participants were 76 children/adolescents aged 6-17 years and their parents, submitted to a diagnostic interview and a tool for assessing EF, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine associations between symptoms of ADHD and the PBD phenotype, and the EF. A model for parents and a model for children/adolescents were performed. The model indexes showed a satisfactory fit. ADHD was found to be associated with deficits in all areas of EF, especially when the predominant symptom is inattention. The presence of symptoms of PBD phenotype was associated only with difficulties in finding new strategies to solve problems and inhibiting new behaviour. The article concluded that the presence of ADHD symptoms is associated with cognitive deficits different from those that may occur with PBD symptoms. It is advisable that professionals consider patients' neurocognitive profiles in order to achieve an appropriate differential diagnosis.

Las funciones ejecutivas son un conjunto de procesos cognitivos que se desarrollan desde los estadios iniciales. Recientes estudios en niños con trastorno de comportamiento adaptativo sugieren la presencia de efectos sobre el funcionamiento ejecutivo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer la asociación entre síntomas del síndrome por déficit de atención con hiperactividad, síndrome opositivo desafiante y trastorno de conducta y función ejecutiva en niños de 3 a 6 años. La investigación de tipo descriptivo transversal se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra de 444 niños españoles. Para estimar la capacidad de funciones ejecutivas, se estructuró un inventario para padres y educadores. Se encontró una relación entre los síntomas del síndrome de défict de atención con hiperactividad, síndrome opositivo desafiante y trastorno de conducta, y déficit en funciones ejecutivas. La presencia de los síntomas del síndrome de défict de atención con hiperactividad de tipo inatento se asoció con deficiencias en todas las áreas de funciones ejecutivas, lo que no ocurre con otros síntomas. Por lo tanto, es importante conocer las características específicas de cada sintomatología, tomando en cuenta su funcionamiento ejecutivo, con el ánimo de lograr diagnósticos adecuados en el ámbito clínico y la terapia apropiada acorde a las deficiencias presentadas en niños.

The Executive Function is a set of cognitive processes that are developed from the earliest ages. Recent studies in children with disruptive behaviour disorders suggest the presence of effects on the executive functioning. The aim of this study is to know the association among symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder, and Executive Function in children from 3 to 6 years old. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. An assessment was performed on a sample of 444 subjects from Spain; it was made through an inventory for parents and teachers to estimate the capacity of Executive Function. Results: a relation between the symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and the Executive Function deficit was found. The presence of symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder inattentive type is associated with deficiencies in all areas of Executive Function, which does not occur with other symptoms. Conclusion: It is important to know the specific characteristics of each symptomatology by taking into account their executive functioning, in order to achieve accurate diagnoses in the clinical setting, as well as appropriate therapy according to the deficiencies presented by children.