Abstract
Researchers have examined adaptive behavior in autism, but few studies have looked for different patterns of adaptive skills according to age and intelligence. Domain scores from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) were compared in relation to age and Performance IQ for 72 children and adolescents with autism and 37 nonautistic children and adolescents with mental retardation. Age and IQ were positively related to each of the Vineland domains. Children with autism had lower scores in the socialization domain. An interaction was present between Performance IQ and group: With increasing IQ, children with autism showed smaller increases in social functioning than children with mental retardation. A similar trend was present for daily living skills. Results suggest that (a) the relationship between the two groups' adaptive behavior profiles is stable from preschool age through adolescence, and (b) increasing IQ is associated with less of an increase in certain adaptive skills for children with autism.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ando, H., Yoshimura, I., & Wakabayashi, S. (1980). Effects of age on adaptive behavior levels and academic skill levels in autistic and mentally retarded children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 173–184.
Bayley, N. (1969).Bayley Scales of Infant Development. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corp.
Burack, J. A., & Volkmar, F. R. (1992). Development of low- and high-functioning autistic children.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33, 607–616.
Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1983).Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Frankenberger, W., & Fronzaglio, K. (1991). States' definitions and procedures for identifying children with mental retardation: Comparison over nine years.Mental Retardation, 29, 315–321.
Hollingshead, A. B. (1957).The Two Factor Index of Social Position. Unpublished manuscript.
Jacobson, J. W., & Ackerman, L. J. (1990). Differences in adaptive functioning among people with autism or mental retardation.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 205–219.
Leiter, R. G. (1948).Leiter International Performance Scale. Chicago: Stoelting.
Lord, C., & Schopler, E. (1989). Stability of assessment results of autistic and non-autistic language impaired children from preschool years to early school age.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, 575–590.
Loveland, K. A., & Kelley, M. L. (1988). Development of adaptive behavior in adolescents and young adults with autism and Down Syndrome.American Journal on Mental Retardation, 93, 84–92.
Loveland, K. A., & Kelley, M. L. (1991). Development of adaptive behavior in preschoolers with autism or Down Syndrome.American Journal on Mental Retardation, 96, 13–20.
Luckasson, R. A., Coulter, D. L., Polloway, E. A., Reiss, S., Schalock, R. L., Spitalnik, D. M., Snell, M. E., & Stark, J. A. (1992).Mental retardation: Definition, classification & systems of support (9th ed.). Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.
Middleton, H. A., Keene, R. G., & Brown, G. W. (1990). Convergent and discriminant validities of the Scales of Independent Behavior and the Revised Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.American Journal on Mental Retardation, 94, 669–673.
Perry, A., & Factor, D. C. (1989). Psychometric validity and clinical usefulness of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale for an autistic sample.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 41–55.
Rodrigue, J. R., Morgan, S. B., & Geffken, G. R. (1991). A comparative evaluation of adaptive behavior in children and adolescents with autism, Down Syndrome, and normal development.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 187–197.
Rutter, M., & Garmezy, N. (1983). Developmental Psychopathology. In E. M. Hetherington (Ed.),Handbook of child psychology (Vol. 4, pp. 775–911). New York: Wiley.
Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1984).Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Interview Edition-survey form manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Sparrow, S. S., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1987). Adaptive behavior and the psychologically disturbed child.Journal of Special Education, 21, 89–100.
Spitzer, R. L., & Siegel, B. (1990). The DSM-III-R field trial of Pervasive Developmental Disorders.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 855–862.
Stutsman, R. (1948).Merrill-Palmer Scale of Mental Tests. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.
Utley, C. A., Lowitzer, A. C., & Baumeister, A. A. (1987). A comparison of the AAMD's definition, eligibility criteria, and classification schemes with state departments of education guidelines.Education and Training in Mental Retardation, 22, 35–43.
Volkmar, F. R. (1987). Diagnostic issues in the Pervasive Developmental Disorders.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28, 365–369.
Volkmar, F. R., Cicchetti, D. V., Bregman, J., & Cohen, D. J. (1992). Three diagnostic systems for autism: DSM-III, DSM-III-R, and ICD-10.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 22, 483–491.
Volkmar, F. R., Sparrow, S. S., Goudreau, D., Cicchetti, D. V., Paul, R., & Cohen, D. J. (1987). Social deficits in autism: An operational approach using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 26, 156–161.
Wechsler, D. (1967).Manual for the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corp.
Wechsler, D. (1974).Manual for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schatz, J., Hamdan-Allen, G. Effects of age and IQ on adaptive behavior domains for children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 25, 51–60 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02178167
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02178167