About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of executive function on mental health in autistic individuals, featuring insights from a landmark study by Professor Lauren Kenworthy.

In this episode of Mind the Kids, the podcast from the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH), host Dr. Clara Faria — academic clinical fellow in child psychiatry — is joined by Professor Lauren Kenworthy , Division Chief, Neuropsychology Director, Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders Pediatric Neuropsychologist, at the Children's National Hospital, based in Washington DC. Professor Kenworthy shares findings from her landmark study, ' Executive Function Challenges Persist into Young Adulthood and Predict Mental Health Outcomes in Autism' , published in JCPP — ACAMH's flagship peer-reviewed journal. Drawing on over 300 autistic individuals and more than 900 observations spanning ages 2 to 25, this is one of the most comprehensive longitudinal investigations into executive function trajectories and mental health outcomes in autism to date. The episode unpacks what executive functions are — the brain-based cognitive abilities governing flexibility, working memory, and impulse control — and why they matter so profoundly for the mental health of autistic young people. With approximately 70% of autistic children and 63% of autistic adults experiencing mental health…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Clara Faria

Guest: Professor Lauren Kenworthy

Topics covered

• executive function
• autism
• mental health
• cognitive abilities
• longitudinal study

Keywords

• executive function
• autism
• mental health
• cognitive abilities
• longitudinal study
• depression
• anxiety
• young adulthood

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Children's National Hospital, JCPP

Books & works: Executive Function Challenges Persist into Young Adulthood and Predict Mental Health Outcomes in Autism

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