Cognitive and behavioral characteristics of adolescents with high-functioning autism

Abstract

Relationship between executive functions (EF) and symptomatology of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) were examined. EF of 33 students with high-functioning autism (HFA) and 25 typically development (TD) students were compared. The parent-rated adolescent version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was administered. The ASD group displayed an EF profile of intact verbal working memory, impaired nonverbal working memory and nonverbal generativity. Additionally, they showed a tendency of weakness among the mental flexibility, planning, verbal generativity, and inhibition domains. Findings supported AQ as an useful screening tool for ASD. Certain significant relationships were illustrated: weak nonverbal working memory to a lack of imagination; weak nonverbal generativity to weak communication skills and weak imagination but to more attention switching and less manifestation of attention to details; lastly, weak verbal generativity to less attention to details. Explanations were suggested and limitations were discussed.