Executive Function and Socio-Emotional Competencies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: strengths, weaknesses and relationships

Adults who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, whether in childhood or later in life, face a significant amount of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding their abilities and needs, and due to this oftentimes struggle to receive the support and accommodations they require. This dissertation aims to highlight important aspects of lesser-known aspects and misconceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 in adulthood, with a focus on Executive Function and Dysfunction, and Socio-emotional Competencies, by reviewing existing literature and research which has previously only concerned children with the disorder. With an increasing number of adults being diagnosed with ASD Level 1, previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome, this work aims to investigate not only the weaknesses in these functions and abilities, but outline strengths and relationships between Executive Dysfunctions and Socio-emotional Competencies, to increase awareness and deepen the understanding of how the condition changes and conceals throughout an autistic individual’s lifespan, and highlight those aspects that may lead to misdiagnose or fail to recognise the disability.