Calendar Calculation Savant Syndrome in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cognitive Function Measured by the Wechsler...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Developmental disorders

Background:

• Savant syndrome (SS) frequently co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Prior research has not sufficiently explored specific subtypes of SS within ASD populations.
• Calendar calculation is a notable savant skill, but its characteristics in ASD remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and intellectual profile of savant syndrome in calendar calculation (SSC) within an ASD cohort.
• To investigate the developmental trajectory of SSC abilities.
• To compare the cognitive characteristics of SSC with other savant subtypes (art and music) and non-savant individuals with ASD.

Main Methods:

• Participants with ASD were categorized into four groups: SSC, savant syndrome in art (SSA), savant syndrome in music (SSM), and non-savant individuals (NSS).
• Intellectual functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, comparing indices across groups.
• For the SSC group, performance on a calendar calculation task (accuracy and reaction time) was analyzed in relation to cognitive measures.

Main Results:

• SSC was most prevalent in individuals with mild intellectual disability.
• A subset of individuals with SSC experienced a decline in their calculation skills.
• Individuals with SSC exhibited significantly lower Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) compared to NSS, with notable differences in subtest scores (e.g., higher Digit Span, lower Comprehension).

Conclusions:

• Exceptional calendar calculation skills in ASD are associated with a distinct cognitive profile.
• This profile is characterized by strengths in auditory working memory and long-term memory (reflected in Digit Span) and weaknesses in Comprehension.
• The findings highlight the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles within savant syndrome in ASD.