Inter-individual cognitive variability in children with Asperger's syndrome

GONZALEZ GADEA, ML; TRIPICCIO, P; RATTAZZI, A; BAEZ, S; MARINO, J; ROCA, M; MANES, F; IBAÑEZ, A

FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE

FRONTIERS RES FOUND

Año: 2014

1662-5161

Multiple studies have tried to establish the distinctive profile of individuals with Asperger?s syndrome (AS). However, recent reports suggest that adults with AS feature heterogeneous cognitive profiles. The present study exploresinter-individual variability in children with AS through group comparis on and multiple case series analysis. All participants complete dan extended battery including measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence, executive functions, theory of mind, and classical neuropsychological tests. Significant group differences were found in theory of mind and other domains related to global information processing. However, the AS group showed highinter-individual variability (bothsub-andsupra-normal performance) on most cognitive tasks. Further more, high fluid intelligence correlated with less general cognitive impairment, high cognitive flexibility, and speed of motor processing. In light of these findings, we propose that children with AS are characterized ya distinct, un even pattern of cognitive strength sand weaknesses.