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Adaptive and intellectual functioning in autistic and nonautistic retarded children
1Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Tennessee 38152, USA.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Autistic children showed greater adaptive behavior deficits than children with mental retardation, indicating distinct cognitive impairments. This research compares adaptive functioning (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale) and intellectual functioning (Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale) in autism.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Understanding the differential impact on adaptive functioning is crucial for diagnosis and intervention.
- Previous research has explored cognitive profiles but direct comparisons of adaptive and intellectual functioning are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare adaptive functioning (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale - VABS) and intellectual functioning (Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th edition - SB-IV) between autistic children and nonautistic children with mental retardation.
- To determine which scale (VABS or SB-IV) better discriminates between these two groups.
- To investigate the relationship between adaptive and intellectual functioning in each group.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study design.
- Utilized the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS) for adaptive functioning assessment.
- Employed the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th edition (SB-IV) for intellectual functioning assessment.
- Compared scores between autistic children and nonautistic retarded children matched for chronological age and IQ.
Main Results:
- Autistic children scored significantly lower on the VABS adaptive composite, Socialization, and Communication domains compared to the nonautistic retarded group.
- Autistic children also showed lower scores in the SB-IV Verbal Reasoning area.
- VABS domain scores were more effective in discriminating between the two groups than SB-IV area scores.
- Correlations between VABS and SB-IV scores were higher in the autistic group.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairments in autism manifest as more significant deficits in adaptive behaviors compared to mental retardation without autism.
- The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale demonstrates greater utility in differentiating autistic children from those with nonautistic intellectual disability.
- Findings suggest distinct patterns of cognitive and adaptive functioning in autism versus other forms of intellectual disability.