The Cognitive Profile of People with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Several studies have examined the cognitive profile of people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (IQ > 70), and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV). However, no data exist on the similarities or differences in this profile in less affluent countries. The present study examined the cognitive profile and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and ADHD in 30 subjects aged 6–16 years with high-functioning ASD and compared the results with those of 30 typically developing (TD) subjects. In line with previous research findings, the WISC-IV cognitive profile analysis of subjects with high-functioning ASD showed a good competence in Matrix Reasoning and weaknesses in Comprehension, but the main distinguishing point was the competence in processing speed in both groups. In the present study, the Verbal Comprehension Index correlated negatively with the communication symptoms, and the Working Memory Index correlated positively with the social symptoms in the ASD group. Given the similarities that exist between the results of the present research and previous studies, it may be concluded that there are similarities in the cognitive profile of individuals with ASD.

Neuropsychological Profile, Emotional/Behavioral Problems, and Parental Stress in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

“…Analyzing more in detail the single sub-indices of the intelligence, we found that Verbal comprehension skills (VCI) were significantly higher in ASD-HF group than all other groups. In Rabiee’s study [ 3 ], ASD-HFs subjects showed good Verbal skills (VCI) and Processing Speed abilities (PSI), as well as the control group; in our study, on the other hand, the ASD-HF group scored higher than the TD group in the verbal skills (VCI), but lower in the Processing Speed abilities (PSI), consistent with the results of the study by Oliveras Rentas [ 10 ]. As for Visual Perceptual Reasoning (PRI) skills, the ASD-HF group performed significantly better than the other three groups.…”

“…From the comparative analysis of the cognitive abilities, we found that the global intelligence, represented by the Total Intelligence Quotient (TIQ), was in normal range in all three clinical groups. Furthermore, the ADHD and SLD group scored significantly lower compared to ASD-HF group and control group, without significant differences between them [ 3 ]. Analyzing more in detail the single sub-indices of the intelligence, we found that Verbal comprehension skills (VCI) were significantly higher in ASD-HF group than all other groups.…”

“…Several studies examined the neuropsychological profile of children with ASD-HF, showing deficit in the pragmatic aspects of language (e.g., monotonous prosody, inadequate volume, difficulty in respecting conversational shifts, limited mimicry and gestures, difficulty in understanding the double meanings and the latent meaning of the conversation). Furthermore, children with ASD-HF usually present behavior aimed at socialization, although not always functional and adequate [ 3 ]. Another neurodevelopmental disorder is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and [ 1 ] the worldwide prevalence in childhood population studies is about 5% [ 4 ].…”

“…Some studies showed that subjects with ASD-HF score higher on some index WISC-IV while had lower in other index [ 3 , 5 ]. Globally, the perceptual reasoning index (PRI) is highest in ASD-HF and the working memory index (WMI) is the lowest in children with typical development [ 3 ].…”

“…Some studies showed that subjects with ASD-HF score higher on some index WISC-IV while had lower in other index [ 3 , 5 ]. Globally, the perceptual reasoning index (PRI) is highest in ASD-HF and the working memory index (WMI) is the lowest in children with typical development [ 3 ]. According to recent studies [ 6 , 7 ] subjects with ADHD, have the average full-scale intelligent quotient score lower than the typically developing children and tend to perform worse on the working memory index (WMI) and on the processing speed index (PSI) than the verbal comprehension index (VCI) and the perceptual reasoning index (PRI).…”