Review of Cognitive Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Performance on Six Subtests on Four Versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
Mizuho Takayanagi, Yoko Kawasaki, Mieko Shinomiya and 8 others
PMID 33677730WHAT IT FOUND
Children with autism consistently score high on Block Design and low on Coding, regardless of IQ or diagnosis.
However, the classic profile of very low verbal scores disappears in higher-IQ children, who instead show strong language skills alongside these specific visual-motor weaknesses.
Key findings
01High Block Design scores and low Coding scores were observed across all groups, irrespective of intellectual level or diagnosis.
02The classic 'islets of ability' profile, characterized by notably low verbal scores, was primarily found in groups with a mean Full-Scale IQ of 85 or below.
03Groups with a mean Full-Scale IQ of 100 or above displayed right-descending profiles with high verbal scores rather than the classic low-verbal pattern.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review only analyzed six specific subtests, ignoring other potentially informative WISC subtests. The studies included spanned 1970 to 2017, covering significant changes in diagnostic criteria (DSM-III to DSM-5) and WISC versions, which may introduce heterogeneity. The analysis relied on group mean scores rather than individual participant data, potentially masking within-group variability. The authors could not determine if the observed patterns were causally related to theories like weak central coherence, as the included studies did not provide direct evidence for this.
Declared interests
Funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a child with ASD has low verbal abilities. The 'classic' profile of severe language delay is largely restricted to children with lower IQs; many children with average or high IQs have strong verbal skills, though they may still struggle with processing speed and visual-motor tasks.