Perfil de funciones ejecutivas en personas con discapacidad intelectual: Una revisión sistemática

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Executive Functions refer to a set of complex cognitive skills that allow to respond efficiently to the environment. Intellectual Disability is a developmental disorder that involves cognitive and adaptive behavioral difficulties, which can limit the interaction with the environment and the quality of life of these people. OBJECTIVE. To analyze the profile of executive functions in people with intellectual disability, characterizing strengths and weaknesses, and to evaluate if there are differences by etiology and degree of intellectual disability. METHOD. A qualitative descriptive systematic review method was used, considering the PRISMA model. Articles and/or theses developed between 2010 and 2024 were selected. RESULTS. People with intellectual disabilities present weaknesses associated with complex processing; such as planning, working memory and cognitive flexibility. As strengths, basic skills such as concrete information processing and semantic or declarative memory are observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The findings of this study suggest that people with intellectual disabilities present a specific profile of executive functions. Thus, the present study contributes to the knowledge of the study population in order to design supports adjusted to their real characteristics and to favor the autonomy and integral wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities.