Neuropsychological Profiles of Children with Asperger Syndrome and Autism

by Janine Manjiviona and Margot Prior (1999) autism, 3, 327-356.

“This study examined the possibility that diagnostic differentiation between children with autism and Asperger syndrome may be enhanced through the use of neuropsychological profiles.”

“Clinically diagnosed children with Asperger syndrome and autism were not differentiated on the basis of their neuropsychological profiles. The major difference between them was the overall higher IQ in Asperger Syndrome, which was largely due to superior verbal abilities.. Differences were also examined using DSM-IV /ICD-10 criteria: children were grouped according to the early history of presence or absence of language delay. No differences between the groups on any neurocognitive measure were found and there was no support for current neuropsychological theories purporting to support differential diagnostic status.” (p.327)

“The results do not confirm recent claims regarding the verbal IQ superiority over performance IQ for individuals diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.”

“The proportion of children with Asperger syndrome exhibiting a significant discrepancy in either direction (verbal or performance IQ) was similar to that found in the normal population.”

“The pattern of the profile was similar to that found in autism with a clearly defined peak in performance on block design and a dip in performance on digit span, comparable with results reported for individuals with Asperger syndrome by Bowler (1992).”

“Our results do not endorse the importance of the history of language delay as a differentiating characteristic between children with Asperger syndrome and autism as defined by DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria.” (p. 343).

“The crucial point to be emphasised is that the peaks and troughs apparent in the cognitive profiles and the consistency of the profile across the groups argue against the notion of a definitive and distinctive neurocognitive profile in Asperger syndrome.” (p. 344).