Processi esecutivi nell'adulto disabile con sviluppo atipico: specificità dei profili e ruolo dell'eziologia

The aim of the study was to investigate the development and organization of cognitive executive processes in young adults with atypical development. Subjects were divided in two groups, according to aetiology of the syndrome (genetic or neurological early acquired.). Prader-Willy syndrome was considered in more detail for this study because of the well-known executive difficulties in everyday life. Results show the presence of differences tapping specific processes. Their ability to plan a sequence of actions was reduced and so the ability to find and use an efficient strategy in order to solve a problem. A possible mechanism underlying this difficulty is a limited executive control, which arises when handling information from working memory and set-shifting are particularly required.