Personality traits, autobiographical memory and knowledge of self and others: A comparative study in young people with autism spectrum disorder

The relationship between dissociable components of autobiographical memory (e.g. semantic personality traits and episodic memory retrieval) and other cognitive skills that are proposed to enable one to develop a sense of self (e.g. introspection) have not previously been explored for children with autism spectrum disorder. This study compared autobiographical memory (semantic and episodic) and knowledge of self (internal/external self-knowledge and introspection/mentalising abilities) in children (aged 11-18 years) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and typically developing controls (total N = 48). Novel and standard tasks were employed. Compared to typically developing controls, young people with autism spectrum disorder had autobiographical memory difficulties that were characterised by a reduction in the retrieval of semantic personality traits, with more initial prompts required to facilitate episodic memory retrieval and fewer episodic memories containing emotional and sensory information. Knowledge of the self and others was also impaired, with reduced introspection and poorer mentalising abilities. Young people with autism spectrum disorder were also identified as presenting with an atypical relationship between autobiographical memory and self-knowledge, which was significantly different from typically developing controls. Test performance is discussed in relation to the functions of autobiographical memory, with consideration of how these cognitive difficulties may contribute to clinical practices and the social and behavioural characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.

Comparison of parental estimate of developmental age with measured IQ in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

BACKGROUND

Formal IQ tests are an important part of the diagnostic and needs-based assessment process for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, resources for such assessments are not always available. It has been suggested that parental estimates of their child's developmental age could serve as a proxy IQ when formal measures are unavailable.

METHOD

Parental estimates of their child's developmental age were converted to a developmental quotient (DQ) in 197 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged 4-9 years, and 108 children with ADHD and intellectual disability (ADHD + ID) aged 7-15 years. Formal IQ assessments were then conducted. Parents completed the Social Communication Questionnaire ((SCQ), a measure of autism symptomatology) and a demographic questionnaire.

RESULTS

In the ASD sample, 58% of parent estimates were within 15 points (i.e. one standard deviation) of the child's measured IQ score. Lower measured IQ and lower SCQ total score predicted higher parental accuracy. In the ADHD + ID sample, 74% of parental estimates were within 15 points of measured IQ. In this group, higher child IQ predicted greater parental accuracy. Parents in the ADHD + ID group were more likely to overestimate children's ability level than parents in the ASD group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the majority of parents of children with ADHD and ID were able to estimate their child's intellectual ability level with some accuracy. Parents of children with ASD were less accurate, but this may be because these parents were focussing more on children's level of adaptive functioning, which is known to be typically lower than cognitive ability in ASD.

An 8 year follow-up of a specialist supported employment service for high-ability adults with autism or Asperger syndrome

Few supported employment programmes have been specifically designed for people with autism, especially those who are more able. This study examines the outcome of a supported employment service (NAS Prospects) for adults with autism or Asperger syndrome (IQ 60+) over an 8 year period. Approximately 68 percent of clients found employment. Of the 192 jobs, the majority were permanent contracts and most involved administrative, technical or computing work. Assessment of current clients indicates that IQ, language skills and educational attainments are high. However, work has also been found for those of lower abilities. Individuals supported by Prospects show a rise in salaries, contribute more tax and claim fewer benefits. Satisfaction with the scheme is high among clients, employers and support workers. Although the programme continues to incur a financial deficit, this has decreased. Moreover, there are many non-financial benefits, which are difficult to quantify. The importance of specialist employment support of this kind is discussed.

Outcome in Adult Life for more Able Individuals with Autism or Asperger Syndrome

The paper reviews what is known about outcome in adult life for more able individuals within the autistic spectrum. Because of the problems associated with differential diagnosis, the results of studies involving high-functioning people with autism and Asperger syndrome are combined. The review focuses predominantly on long-term follow-up research and covers outcome in terms of cognitive, linguistic, academic and adaptive functioning; educational and employment history; independence and social relationships; and behavioural and psychiatric problems. The stability of IQ and other measures over time, and variables related to outcome, are also investigated.

Diagnosis in Autism

The results of a survey of almost I300 parent members of autistic societies in the UK are described. The ages of their children ranged from 2 to 49 years. The survey focused on parents' views of the diagnostic process and data were collected on the age at which diagnosis was made, the time taken to obtain a diagnosis and the professionals involved. Differences in geographical area were also assessed. Overall, the results indicate that children are now being diagnosed earlier than in previous decades, but the average age of diagnosis is still around 6 years. There are also wide regional variations in diagnosis. The survey indicates that many parents continue to experience lengthy and often frustrating delays before they finally receive a diagnosis. Moreover, even when this process is completed, the amount of practical help subsequently provided is generally very limited. Factors related to parental satisfaction with the diagnostic process are discussed in detail.

The Outcome of a Supported Employment Scheme for High-Functioning Adults with Autism or Asperger Syndrome

The article describes the outcome of a 2 year supported employment project for high-functioning adults with autism. Thirty individuals with a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome living within the London area took part in the scheme. The control group comprised 20 individuals of similar intellectual and linguistic ability,and previous employment history, living in metropolitan areas out-side London. Over the course of the project significantly more of the supported group than the controls found work; job levels were higher; they were in work for a greater percentage of the time; and they received significantly higher wages. Thirteen different employers (mostly multinational companies) were involved during the course of the project and several were willing to take more than one employee because of their positive experience of employing someone with autism. Although existing resources within the disability employment service hadnot previously been able to provide effective job finding and support services for this group, the current scheme demonstrated that, with specialist input, supported employment can be very effective. Moreover the costs, although initially high, reduced significantly over time. One of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the scheme, but one that appeared to be crucial for success, was the need for close liaison with employers in order to explore appropriate job opportunities and to match these carefully to the skills and abilities of individual clients. However, although some elements of the scheme can continue to be supported through government funding, no financial provision is available for this initial and essential stage of job finding. If programmes of this kind are to continue to provide help for individuals with autism, it is crucial that such funding is provided.