Objective

2

To explore the correlation between neuropsychological development and social adaptation ability in children with language developmental delay (LDD) and a comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

and to verify the effectiveness of a comprehensive community intervention program.

Method

2

purposive sampling was used to select 195 children with ASD comorbid LD registered in 8 community health service centers in Urumqi from January 2023 to January 2025. They were divided into an intervention group (n=103) and a control group (n=92) according to parental wishes. The intervention group received 24 months of community comprehensive intervention (structured social training

executive function promotion

family support)

while the control group received routine follow-up. Baseline and endpoint neuropsychological development and social adaptation were evaluated using Griffiths Developmental Scale (DQ)

BRIEF-P Executive Function Scale (T-score)

and S-M Social Life Ability Scale. A correlation analysis and covariance analysis were used to process the data.

Result

2

The baseline cognitive function (DQ total score) was positively correlated with social adaptation total score (

r

=0.538

P

<

0.001)

while executive function (BRIEF-P total score) was negatively correlated (

r

=-0.482

P

<

0.001). The total score of social adaptation in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (adjusted mean difference=8.95

95% CI [6.32

11.58

]

F

=48.263

P

<

0.001)

with the most significant improvement in social communication skills (difference 3.68 points). The improvement of executive function indirectly enhances social adaptation by promoting cognitive function (mediation effect value=2.86

95% CI [1.35

4.37

]

accounting for 42.3%).

Conclusion

2

The neuropsychological development (especially executive and cognitive functions) of children with ASD comorbidity LD is closely related to their social adaptation ability. Community based comprehensive intervention can effectively enhance social adaptability

and its mechanism of action depends on the chain path of executive function→cognitive function→social adaptation.