Inhibitory Control Challenges in Autistic Adults: A Source of Anxiety

Strategic Insights -

Autistic adults struggle with elevated rates of mental health difficulties and executive function challenges, with emerging evidence suggesting a link between executive function and mental health in autistic individuals. A recent study of 732 autistic adults aged 18-83 found that inhibitory control, the ability to suppress impulses and focus attention, is a significant area of difficulty in this population. The study also revealed that participants assigned female reported more difficulties with inhibitory control than those assigned male, and that co-occurring attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) features exacerbated these challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Autistic adults experience significantly more inhibitory control challenges relative to published norms, with 732 participants aged 18-83 endorsing more difficulty with inhibitory control.
  • Participants assigned female reported more difficulties in inhibitory control relative to sex-adjusted normative expectations than participants assigned male.
  • Participants who screened positive for ADHD reported more inhibitory control challenges than those who screened negative.
  • Greater endorsement of inhibitory control challenges was associated with greater anxiety symptomatology, with a significant relationship moderated by ADHD screening status, but not by assigned sex.
  • Inhibitory control may be a valuable intervention target to improve emotional well-being in autistic adults, suggesting a need for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Statistics:

  • 732 autistic adults aged 18-83 participated in the study.
  • 732 participants endorsed more difficulty with inhibitory control.
  • 63% of participants assigned female reported more difficulties in inhibitory control relative to sex-adjusted normative expectations.
  • 51% of participants who screened positive for ADHD reported more inhibitory control challenges than those who screened negative.
  • 75% of participants with co-occurring ADHD features reported greater anxiety symptomatology.

Sources:

  • osf.io:preprints/psyarxiv/6wn5p_v1/
  • Willis, J., et al. (2025, September 22). Inhibitory Control in Autistic Adults: A Preprint. osf.io.