Asperger's Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Asperger's Syndrome, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication.

Brief report: The use of WAIS-III in adults with HFA and Asperger syndrome.

Spek AA, Scholte EM, van Berckelaer-Onnes IA

Mental Health Center (GGZ) Eindhoven, Boschdijk 771, Postvak 1418, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. aa.spek@ggze.nl

The WAIS III was administered to 16 adults with high functioning autism (HFA) and 27 adults with Asperger syndrome. Differences between Verbal Intelligence (VIQ) and Performance Intelligence (PIQ) were not found. Processing Speed problems in people with HFA appeared. At the subtest level, the Asperger syndrome group performed weak on Digit Span. Comprehension and Block Design were relative strengths. In the HFA group, performance on Digit-Symbol Coding and Symbol Search was relatively poor. Strengths were found on Information and Matrix Reasoning. The results suggest that the VIQ-PIQ difference cannot distinguish between HFA and Asperger syndrome. WAIS III Factor Scale and Subtest patterning provides a more valid indicator.

Published 18 March 2008 in J Autism Dev Disord, 38(4): 782-7.
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