Objective:

This proposal addresses the neuropsychological characterization of dorsolateral and orbitomedial executive functions in children with behavioral problems, to identify the functioning level of the cognitive skills associated with this brain area.

Materials and methods:

The Latin American version of Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale was applied for the cutoff point of the behavioral difficulties and the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery of Executive Functions (II) with orbitomedial and dorsolateral scales.

Sample:

The sample was 71 in-school students (43 girls and 28 boys between ages 8 and 14).

Results:

There is evidence of association of the group under analysis with difficulties in orbitomedial executive skills (in Stroop A [time], and Stroop B [time]) and dorsolateral executive skills (in Semantic Classification [time]).

Conclusions:

The fullness and efficacy of executive functions dependent on the dorsolateral cortex will depend on the maturity and development of the orbitomedial cortex.