Finding Similarities in Differences Between Autistic Adults: Two Replicated Subgroups.

The study used cross-sectional self-report data, so it cannot show whether the subgroups stay the same over time or predict future outcomes. The analysis excluded adults with intellectual disability, adults under 30, and people with insufficient Dutch, so it does not apply to all autistic adults. Most autistic adults were diagnosed after age 18 (94% in the original data and 97% in the replication data), so findings may not generalize to adults diagnosed in childhood. Only adults with average to high intelligence were included, and the sample was mostly White and highly educated; race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status were not assessed. The third autism subgroup had only seven adults in the replication data and was treated as an artifact rather than a valid subgroup. ADHD adults were split between the autism and comparison subgroups, so it is unclear how specific the autism subgrouping is to autism. Missing data led to exclusion of 12% of the original sample and 6% of the replication sample. The grouping method used score patterns rather than cut-off scores, so the labels should not be read as simple severity levels.

The study was funded by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek. Four older/autistic adults were paid for think tank contributions. The supplied text does not include a full author conflict-of-interest declaration.

Do not read the high-grip and low-grip labels as fixed types or proof that either group needs more therapy. The groups came from cross-sectional self-report patterns, and the study did not test interventions or follow people over time.