Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Brief Report: Social and Communication Abilities and Disabilities in Higher Functioning Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Individuals with higher functioning autism (HFA) fail to translate their cognitive potential into real-life adaptation, and the severity of their symptoms is considerable despite their intellectual ability. This paper reports on a subsample from a larger study (A. Klin et al., in press) analyzed here by autism spectrum subtypes. It focuses on the nature of ability and disability in HFA and Asperger syndrome (AS) in relation to age and IQ. Participants included 32 individuals with autism and 35 with AS. Individuals with AS had significantly higher Verbal IQ scores and less symptomatology than individuals with autism, but their Vineland scores were equally impaired, highlighting the adaptive deficits in ASD regardless of classification. No relationship was found between adaptive functioning and symptom severity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Hodgdon, L. A. (1995). Visual strategies for improving communication. Volume 1: Practical supports for school and home. Troy, MI: QuirkRoberts Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgdon, L. A. (1999). Solving behavior problems in autism: Improving communication with visual strategies. Troy, MI: QuirkRoberts Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howlin, P., Goode, S., Hutton, J., & Rutter, M. (2004). Adult outcome for children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212–229.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Lang, J., Cicchetti, D. V., & Volkmar, F. R. (2000). Brief report: Interrater reliability of clinical diagnosis and DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder: Results of the DSM-IV autism field trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30(2), 163–167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Pauls, D., Schultz, R., & Volkmar, F. R. (2005a). Three diagnostic approaches to Asperger syndrome: Implications for research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(2), 221–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Saulnier, C. A., Tsatsanis, K., & Volkmar, F. R. (2005b). Clinical evaluation in autism spectrum disorders: Psychological assessment within a transdisciplinary framework. In F. R. Volkmar, A. Klin, R. Paul, & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (3rd ed., pp. 772–798). New York: Wiley.

  • Klin, A., Saulnier, C. A., Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, D. V., & Volkmar, F. R. Social and communication abilities and disabilities in higher functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders: The Vineland and the ADOS. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (in press).

  • Lord, C., Pickles, A., McLennan, J., Rutter, M., Bregman, J., Folstein, S., Fombonne, E., Leboyer, M., & Minshew, N. (1997). Diagnosing autism: Analyses of data from the Autism Diagnostic Interview. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27, 501–517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P. C., & Risi, S. (1999). Autism diagnostic observation schedule—WPS (ADOS-WPS). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1984). Vineland adaptive behavior scales (Expanded Form). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szatmari, P., Bryson, S. E., Boyle, M. H., Streiner, D. L., & Duku, E. (2003). Predictors of outcome among high functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(4), 520–528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1991). Wechsler intelligence scale for children (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1997). Wechsler adult intelligence scale (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by NIH Research Grant 5-PO1-HD03008-37 funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). We thank all of the families for their time and participation in our research program at the Yale Child Study Center.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, P.O. Box 207900, New Haven, CT, 06520-7900, USA

    Celine A. Saulnier & Ami Klin

Authors
  1. Celine A. Saulnier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ami Klin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celine A. Saulnier.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saulnier, C.A., Klin, A. Brief Report: Social and Communication Abilities and Disabilities in Higher Functioning Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 788–793 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0288-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0288-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation