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Cognitive Profiles in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Investigation of Base Rate Discrepancies using the Differential Ability Scales—Second Edition

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Abstract

Extant data suggest that the cognitive profiles of individuals with ASD may be characterized by variability, particularly in terms of verbal intellectual functioning (VIQ) and non-verbal intellectual functioning (NVIQ) discrepancies. The Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition (DAS-II) has limited data available on its use with youth with ASD. The current study examined data from 2,110 youth with ASD in order to characterize performance on the DAS-II and to investigate potential discrepancies between VIQ and NVIQ. A larger proportion of individuals in the ASD sample had significant discrepancies between VIQ and NVIQ when compared to the normative sample [early years sample χ2 (2) = 38.36; p < .001; school age sample χ2 (2) = 13.48; p < .01]. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Simons Foundation (SFARI SSC-15 to R. Goin-Kochel and A. Beaudet). We are grateful to all of the families at the participating SFARI Simplex Collection (SSC) sites, as well as the principal investigators (A. Beaudet, R. Bernier, J. Constantino, E. Cook, E. Fombonne, D. Geschwind, D. Grice, A. Klin, D. Ledbetter, C. Lord, C. Martin, D. Martin, R. Maxim, J. Miles, O. Ousley, B. Peterson, J. Piggot, C. Saulnier, M. State, W. Stone, J. Sutcliffe, C. Walsh, E. Wijsman). We appreciate obtaining access to phenotypic data on SFARI Base. Approved researchers can obtain the SSC population dataset described in this study (https://ordering.base.sfari.org/~browse_collection/archive[sfari_collection_v14]/ui:view()) by applying at https://base.sfari.org.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Farish Hall 491, Houston, TX, 77204, USA

    Kerri P. Nowell

  2. Psychological Services, Sheldon Independent School District, Sheldon, TX, USA

    G. Thomas Schanding Jr.

  3. Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Stephen M. Kanne

  4. Psychology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Robin P. Goin-Kochel

Authors
  1. Kerri P. Nowell
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  2. G. Thomas Schanding Jr.
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  3. Stephen M. Kanne
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  4. Robin P. Goin-Kochel
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Correspondence to Kerri P. Nowell.

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Nowell, K.P., Schanding, G.T., Kanne, S.M. et al. Cognitive Profiles in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Investigation of Base Rate Discrepancies using the Differential Ability Scales—Second Edition. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1978–1988 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2356-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2356-7

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