NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF THE USE OF NEUROMODULATION IN ADULTS WITH ASD: CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism) in adulthood imposes complex adaptive demands that require neuropsychology to provide interventions complementary to traditional approaches. This study aimed to investigate the neuropsychological evidence, methodological challenges, and clinical possibilities arising from the use of non-invasive neuromodulation in adults with autism. An integrative literature review was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases, selecting primary and review articles focused on populations over 18 years old undergoing transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Current evidence shows that modulating targets such as the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) and the posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus (pSTS) results in increased executive functions, cognitive flexibility, and social cognition. Inhibitory protocols were also found to reduce sensory overload and autistic burnout through attenuation of the Default Mode Network (DMN). The main challenges lie in the phenotypic heterogeneity of the spectrum, the scarcity of standardized dosimetric parameters for mature brains, and evaluation biases resulting from late diagnosis and the use of social camouflaging (masking). It is concluded that neuromodulation does not act in isolation but acts as a catalytic tool that opens a window of plastic opportunity. Its maximum potential is realized when combined synchronously with neuropsychological training and structured cognitive rehabilitation, consolidating functional synaptic routes that promote autonomy and global quality of life for adults on the spectrum.