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Woods SEO, Estes A. Toward a more comprehensive autism assessment: the survey of autistic strengths, skills, and interests. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1264516. [PMID: 37867767 PMCID: PMC10587489 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1264516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Eileen O'Neil Woods
- Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Discover Psychology Services, Lacey, WA, United States
| | - Annette Estes
- Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Hartman LM, Farahani M, Moore A, Manzoor A, Hartman BL. Organizational benefits of neurodiversity: Preliminary findings on autism and the bystander effect. Autism Res 2023; 16:1989-2001. [PMID: 37615342 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Although the bystander effect is one of the most important findings in the psychological literature, researchers have not explored whether autistic individuals are prone to the bystander effect. The present research examines whether autistic employees are more likely to report issues or concerns in an organization's systems and practices that are inefficient or dysfunctional. By bringing attention to these issues, autistic employees may foster opportunities to improve organizational performance, leading to the development of a more adaptive, high performing, and ethical culture. Thirty-three autistic employees and 34 nonautistic employees completed an online survey to determine whether employees on the autism spectrum (1) are more likely to report they would voice concerns about organizational dysfunctions, (2) are less likely to report they were influenced by the number of other witnesses to the dysfunction, (3) if they do not voice concerns, are more likely to acknowledge the influence of other people on the decision, (4) are less likely to formulate "elaborate rationales" for their decisions to intervene or not, and (5) whether any differences between autistic and nonautistic employees with regards to the first two hypotheses, intervention likelihood and degree of influence, are moderated by individual differences in camouflaging. Results indicate that autistic employees may be less susceptible to the bystander effect than nonautistic employees. As a result, autistic employees may contribute to improvements in organizational performance because they are more likely to identify and report inefficient processes and dysfunctional practices when they witness them. These preliminary findings suggesting potential benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace are promising. However, further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorne M Hartman
- Organization Studies, Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Research Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mehrdad Farahani
- Translational Research Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander Moore
- Translational Research Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ateeya Manzoor
- Translational Research Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Nenniger G, Hofmann V, Müller CM. Gender Differences in Peer Influence on Autistic Traits in Special Needs Schools-Evidence From Staff Reports. Front Psychol 2021; 12:718726. [PMID: 34803801 PMCID: PMC8599132 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Children and adolescents with an intellectual disability (ID) and autistic traits often attend special needs schools where they are surrounded by peers with diverse characteristics. Given the role that peers can play in social development, we examined whether autistic traits development in students with ID and high levels of such characteristics are influenced by the level of autistic traits among the schoolmates they like most. Furthermore, we investigated the degree to which this peer influence susceptibility depends on students’ gender. A longitudinal design, with data collection points at the beginning and the end of a school year, was used. Staff reported on 330 students with high levels of autistic traits (20.6% girls; age 10.17 years, SD = 3.74) who attended 142 classrooms in 16 Swiss special needs schools. Results showed that students’ future individual level of autistic traits (T2) was not predicted by the autistic traits level of preferred peers (T1), controlling for individual autistic traits at T1, level of general functioning, gender, and age. However, the peer effect was significantly moderated by students’ gender, indicating that girls but not boys were susceptible to peer influence. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for understanding autistic traits development and directions of support for children and adolescents in their peer context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Nenniger
- Department of Special Education, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Verena Hofmann
- Department of Special Education, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph M Müller
- Department of Special Education, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Contagion of Temporal Discounting Value Preferences in Neurotypical and Autistic Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:700-713. [PMID: 33811283 PMCID: PMC8813822 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04962-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Neuroeconomics paradigms have demonstrated that learning about another's beliefs can make you more like them (i.e., contagion). Due to social deficits in autism, it is possible that autistic individuals will be immune to contagion. We fit Bayesian computational models to a temporal discounting task, where participants made decisions for themselves before and after learning the distinct preferences of two others. Two independent neurotypical samples (N = 48; N = 98) both showed a significant contagion effect; however the strength of contagion was unrelated to autistic traits. Equivalence tests showed autistic (N = 12) and matched neurotypical N = 12) samples had similar levels of contagion and accuracy when learning about others. Despite social impairments being at the core of autistic symptomatology, contagion of value preferences appears to be intact.
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Abstract
BackgroundThe potential role of autism as a moderator of conformity has recently been investigated by a small number of studies. However, as yet, no consensus has emerged as to whether autism or autistic traits can moderate the degree to which people attend to and are influenced by social pressure, nor whether there are specific circum-stances under which this might occur. The current study adds to this ambiguous literature by looking at whether autism and autistic traits are associated with conformity in the context of adolescent peer pressure.Participants and procedureA sample of 12-16 year old students completed questionnaire measures of peer conformity (e.g., in relation to smoking, skipping school, etc.), resistance to peer influence, and autistic traits. Approximately half had an au-tism-related diagnosis, and none had an intellectual impairment.ResultsControlling for age, gender, and academic ability, we found that degree of autistic traits was associated with reduced peer conformity, while a diagnosis of autism was not. In contrast, neither autism nor autistic traits were related to resistance to peer influence.ConclusionsThese results are contextualised in terms of past research and positioned within a broader model of individual differences and conformity in which autistic traits moderate the degree to which a person perceives peer influ-ence, while resistance to peer influence moderates the degree to which one conforms to peer influence. Possi-ble future avenues of inquiry are suggested.
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Abstract
Abstract
A lower tendency to influence and be influenced by their social environment seems almost self-evident in autism. However, a closer look at differences and similarities between autistic and non-autistic individuals suggests that some basic mechanisms involved in social influence might be intact in autism, whereas atypical responses point to differences in more sophisticated recursive social strategies, such as reputation management.
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Abstract
Humans are extremely susceptible to social influence. Here, we examine whether this susceptibility is altered in autism, a condition characterized by social difficulties. Autistic participants (N = 22) and neurotypical controls (N = 22) completed a memory test of previously seen words and were then exposed to answers supposedly given by four other individuals. Autistic individuals and controls were as likely to alter their judgements to align with inaccurate responses of group members. These changes reflected both temporary judgement changes (public conformity) and long-lasting memory changes (private conformity). Both groups were more susceptible to answers believed to be from other humans than from computer algorithms. Our results suggest that autistic individuals and controls are equally susceptible to social influence when reporting their memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Lazzaro
- Affective Brain Lab, Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK.
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK.
| | - Laura Weidinger
- Affective Brain Lab, Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rose A Cooper
- Affective Brain Lab, Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, Boston College, Boston, USA
| | | | - Christina Moutsiana
- Affective Brain Lab, Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Tali Sharot
- Affective Brain Lab, Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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Chandler RJ, Russell A, Maras KL. Compliance in autism: Self-report in action. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:1005-1017. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318795479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous research indicates that autistic individuals are more likely to be bullied, and that they experience heightened anxiety and diminished self-esteem. These factors are known to predict heightened compliance, which is the tendency to agree with or carry out the requests and demands of others. This has a range of potentially serious consequences, particularly for an autistic person. This study utilised self-report (the Gudjonsson Compliance Scale) and behavioural measures of compliance (the door-in-the-face task) with 26 autistic and 26 typically developing adults. Participants also completed measures of early life bullying experiences, anxiety and self-esteem. Autistic participants were more compliant on both self-report and experimental tasks, and they reported more bullying experiences, higher anxiety and reduced self-esteem. Looking at both groups, bullying, anxiety and self-esteem were all correlated with self-reported compliance on the Gudjonsson Compliance Scale, yet only self-esteem was a unique predictor. None of these predictor variables related to behavioural compliance on the door in the face; nor did Gudjonsson Compliance Scale scores predict door-in-the-face performance, which may be better explained by situational and motivational factors. Findings have important implications for a range of real-life settings including requests made in the context of research, schools, the criminal justice system and the workplace.
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Forgeot d'Arc B, Vinckier F, Lebreton M, Soulières I, Mottron L, Pessiglione M. Mimetic desire in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2016; 7:45. [PMID: 27826407 PMCID: PMC5100325 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0107-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mimetic desire (MD), the spontaneous propensity to pursue goals that others pursue, is a case of social influence that is believed to shape preferences. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by both atypical interests and altered social interaction. We investigated whether MD is lower in adults with ASD compared to typically developed adults and whether MD correlates with social anhedonia and social judgment, two aspects of atypical social functioning in autism. Contrary to our hypotheses, MD was similarly present in both ASD and control groups. Anhedonia and social judgment differed between the ASD and control groups but did not correlate with MD. These results extend previous findings by suggesting that basic mechanisms of social influence are preserved in autism. The finding of intact MD in ASD stands against the intuitive idea that atypical interests stem from reduced social influence and indirectly favors the possibility that special interests might be selected for their intrinsic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baudouin Forgeot d'Arc
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Intégré Universitaire du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada ; Département de psychiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada ; ASD Specialized Clinic, Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, 7070 Blvd. Perras, Montréal, QC H1E 1A4 Canada
| | - Fabien Vinckier
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Team, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France ; Service de Psychiatrie, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Maël Lebreton
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Team, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France ; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Soulières
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Intégré Universitaire du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada ; Psychology Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888 succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, H3C 3P8 Canada
| | - Laurent Mottron
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Intégré Universitaire du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada ; Département de psychiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Mathias Pessiglione
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Team, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France ; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
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Abstract
Autistic traits can help people gain and sustain power, and has probably done so throughout history, says the present paper. A number of testable claims follow from this assumption. First, the powerful should have more autistic traits than others - which they do appear to have. Among other things, powerful people, and those with many autistic traits, tend to prefer solitary activities and are often aloof. Moreover, they are often rigid and socially insensitive, low on empathy and with low scores on the trait of agreeableness - and as a rule they do not have many friends. Both groups are also more self-centered than others, more honest, less submissive, more sensitive to slights, and with a stronger tendency to engage in abstract thinking. They tend to behave in bossy or dominant ways, and their moral judgment is more based on rules than on feelings. In addition to experimental evidence, I cite biographies showing that a surprising number of presidents, prime ministers and other powerful people seem to have had traits like those in question - and interestingly, in animals, leaders are often rigid and insensitive to group members' needs and feelings, mostly acting the way they are themselves inclined to, not responding much to others. Problem solving is important in leadership, and people with many autistic traits appear often to be better thinkers than typical subjects with similar IQs. However, these and other congruities could be coincidences. Hence the question of whether traits the two groups have in common also have a common cause constitutes a strong test of the paper's thesis - and a common cause does appear to exist, in the form of testosterone's effects on the central nervous system. Finally, there is evidence that, other things equal, powerful men have more reproductive success than others. If men wielding power do indeed have more autistic traits than those less powerful, this will lead to, other things equal, such traits becoming more common - which can help explain the prevalence of autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Overskeid
- Department of Psychology, University of OsloOslo, Norway
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Tillmann J, Olguin A, Tuomainen J, Swettenham J. The effect of visual perceptual load on auditory awareness in autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 45:3297-307. [PMID: 26043848 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent work on visual selective attention has shown that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate an increased perceptual capacity. The current study examined whether increasing visual perceptual load also has less of an effect on auditory awareness in children with ASD. Participants performed either a high- or low load version of a line discrimination task. On a critical trial, an unexpected, task-irrelevant auditory stimulus was played concurrently with the visual stimulus. In contrast to typically developing (TD) children, children with ASD demonstrated similar detection rates across perceptual load conditions, and reported greater awareness than TD children in the high perceptual load condition. These findings suggest an increased perceptual capacity in children with ASD that operates across sensory modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Tillmann
- Department of Developmental Science, University College London, 2 Wakefield Street, WC1N 1PF, London, UK.
| | - Andrea Olguin
- Department of Developmental Science, University College London, 2 Wakefield Street, WC1N 1PF, London, UK
| | - Jyrki Tuomainen
- Speech, Hearing & Phonetic Sciences, University College London, 2 Wakefield Street, WC1N 1PF, London, UK
| | - John Swettenham
- Department of Developmental Science, University College London, 2 Wakefield Street, WC1N 1PF, London, UK
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Wöhr M. Effect of social odor context on the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model for autism. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:73. [PMID: 25852455 PMCID: PMC4364166 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An important diagnostic criterion for social communication deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are difficulties in adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts. While the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) inbred strain of mice is one of the most commonly used mouse models for ASD, little is known about whether BTBR mice display deficits in detecting changes in social context and their ability to adjust to them. Here, it was tested therefore whether the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in BTBR mouse pups is affected by the social odor context, in comparison to the standard control strain with high sociability, C57BL/6J (B6). It is known that the presence of odors from mothers and littermates leads to a calming of the isolated mouse pup, and hence to a reduction in isolation-induced USV emission. In accordance with their behavioral phenotypes with relevance to all diagnostic core symptoms of ASD, it was predicted that BTBR mouse pups would not display a calming response when tested under soiled bedding conditions with home cage bedding material containing maternal odors, and that similar isolation-induced USV emission rates would be seen in BTBR mice tested under clean and soiled bedding conditions. Unexpectedly, however, the present findings show that BTBR mouse pups display such a calming response and emit fewer isolation-induced USV when tested under soiled as compared to clean bedding conditions, similar to B6 mouse pups. Yet, in contrast to B6 mouse pups, which emitted isolation-induced USV with shorter call durations and lower levels of frequency modulation under soiled bedding conditions, social odor context had no effect on acoustic call features in BTBR mouse pups. This indicates that the BTBR mouse model for ASD does not display deficits in detecting changes in social context, but has a limited ability and/or reduced motivation to adjust to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Physiological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
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Yafai AF, Verrier D, Reidy L. Social conformity and autism spectrum disorder: A child-friendly take on a classic study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2013; 18:1007-13. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361313508023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Perhaps surprisingly, given the importance of conformity as a theoretical construct in social psychology and the profound implications autism has for social function, little research has been done on whether autism is associated with the propensity to conform to a social majority. This study is a modern, child-friendly implementation of the classic Asch conformity studies. The performance of 15 children with autism was compared to that of 15 typically developing children on a line judgement task. Children were matched for age, gender and numeracy and literacy ability. In each trial, the child had to say which of three lines a comparison line matched in length. On some trials, children were misled as to what most people thought the answer was. Children with autism were much less likely to conform in the misleading condition than typically developing children. This finding was replicated using a continuous measure of autism traits, the Autism Quotient questionnaire, which showed that autism traits negatively correlated with likelihood to conform in the typically developing group. This study demonstrates the resistance of children with autism to social pressure.
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Hodges BH, Geyer AL. A nonconformist account of the Asch experiments: values, pragmatics, and moral dilemmas. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2006; 10:2-19. [PMID: 16430326 DOI: 10.1207/s15327957pspr1001_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
This article offers a new approach to Asch's (1956) influential studies relating physical and social perception. Drawing on research on values, conversational pragmatics, cross-cultural comparisons, and negotiation, the authors challenge the normative assumptions that have led psychologists to interpret the studies in terms of conformity. A values-pragmatics account is offered that suggests that participants attempt to realize multiple values (e.g., truth, social solidarity) in an inherently frustrating situation by tacitly varying patterns of dissent and agreement to communicate larger scale truths and cooperative intentions. Alternative theories (e.g., embarrassment, attribution) are compared and empirical implications of the values-pragmatics account are evaluated. The possibility of multiple strategies promoting group survival and the proper role of moral evaluation in social psychological research are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert H Hodges
- Department of Psychology, Gordon College, Wenham, MA 01984, USA.
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Silva JA, Leong GB, Ferrari MM. A neuropsychiatric developmental model of serial homicidal behavior. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2004; 22:787-799. [PMID: 15568202 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Serial sexual homicide has been the object of intensive study from forensic psychiatric, criminological, developmental, and sociological perspectives. In contradistinction to these approaches, neuropsychiatric concepts and methods have received relatively little attention in this area. In this article we adopt a neuropsychiatric developmental perspective and undertake a review of the psychiatric literature on violence and autism spectrum disorders. Our analysis of this literature suggests the presence of an association between autism spectrum psychopathology and serial homicidal behavior. Recommendations for further research to help clarify the nature of this association are briefly discussed.
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The Case of Jeffrey Dahmer: Sexual Serial Homicide from a Neuropsychiatric Developmental Perspective. J Forensic Sci 2002. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs15574j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
This paper reviews the history of Asperger syndrome (AS) and high-functioning autism (HFA), current diagnostic concepts and criteria, some controversial diagnostic issues, epidemiology, background factors, outcome, and intervention guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gillberg
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Annedals Clinics, Göteburg, Sweden
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Abstract
To test the validity of Asperger syndrome (AS) as defined in ICD-10, 26 patients (age range, 3.5 to 12 years) with AS and 16 patients (age range, 3 to 11.5 years) with high-functioning (IQ > 90) ICD-10 atypical autism (HAA) were compared on 64 clinical variables including obstetric risk factors, early developmental landmarks, IQ, autistic symptoms on the CARS-TV, epileptic EEG abnormalities and epilepsy. AS did not differ significantly from HAA on all but total and four item scores (i.e. imitation, visual responsiveness, auditory responsiveness and non-verbal communication) on the CARS-TV, in which AS scored significantly lower than HAA. A discriminant function based on imitation and auditory responsiveness predicted 76.2% of the 42 cases. The small difference from HAA indicates that AS is better to be regarded as the highest-functioning end of the PDD spectrum, rather than a valid subtype of PDD. However, the autistic symptom profile less distorted in AS than HAA may warrant a further study on its validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kurita
- Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan
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