Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of High-Functioning Autism

  • Chapter
Neuropsychology

Part of the book series: Human Brain Function ((HBFA))

Abstract

The presence of a developmental disorder is considered when an individual’s abilities are not consistent with developmental or chronological age expectancy. In effect, there may be a significant departure from normal development in the onset and progression of speech, language, motor, cognitive, social, or self-help abilities. A wide range of severity, diverse symptom patterns, and functioning levels characterize individuals with developmental disorders. The course of development of these functions may be significantly delayed and/or erratic compared with normal variation in development. Developmental disorders are to be distinguished from acquired disorders which are related secondarily to a known medical condition, illness, trauma, or other causative agent. The causes of the developmental disorders are diverse and may be associated with chromosomal, metabolic, perinatal, pregnancy, or postnatal factors. Although often identified in the period of childhood and adolescence, impairments are usually chronic, are lifelong, and affect aspects of educational, social, and vocational functioning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannatyne, A. (1974). Diagnosis: A note on recategorization of the WISC scaled scores. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7, 272–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartak, L., Rutter, N., & Cox, A. (1977). A comparative study of infantile autism and specific developmental receptive language disorders. III. Discriminant function analysis. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 7, 383–396.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boiler, F., & Vignolo, L. A. (1966). Latent sensory aphasia in hemisphere-damaged patients. An experimental study with the Token Test. Brain, 89, 132–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borys, S. V., Spitz, H. W., & Dorans, B. A. (1982). Tower of Hanoi performance of retarded young adults and non-retarded children as a function of solution length and goal state. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 33, 87–110.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boucher, J. (1981a). Memory for recent events in autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11, 293–302.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boucher, J. (1981b). Immediate free recall in early childhood autism: Another point of behavioural similarity with the amnesic syndrome. British Journal of Psychology, 72, 211–215.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boucher, J., & Warrington, E. K. (1976). Memory deficits in early infantile autism: Some similarities to the amnesic syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 67, 73–87.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casey, J. E., Enright, C. A., & Gragg, M. M. (1996). High-functioning autism and the nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome: A comparison of neuropsychological and academic achievement functioning. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 2, 40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K. (1990). Manual for Conners’ Rating Scales. Toronto: MHS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K., & MHS Staff. (1994). CPT Conners’ Continuous Performance Test computer program. Toronto: MHS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, A. J. (1988). Manual KeyMath Revised: A diagnostic inventory of essential mathematics. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Courchesne, E., Lincoln, A. J., Townsend, J. P., James, H. E., Akshoomoff, N. A., Saitoh, A., Yeung-Courchesne, R., Egaas, B., Press, G. A., Haas, R. H., Murakami, J. W., & Schreibman, L. (1994). A new finding: Impairment in shifting attention in autistic and cerebellar patients. In S. H. Broman & J. Grafman (Eds. Atypical deficits in developmental disorders: Implications for brain function (pp. 101–317). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, H., Bajszar, GV, & Squire, L. R. (1994). Colorado Neuropsychology Tests Version 2.0c. Colorado Springs, CO: CNT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, G. (1983). Lateralized brain dysfunction in autism: Evidence from the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological battery. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 13, 269–286.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delis, D. C, Kramer, J. H., Kaplan, E., & Ober, B. A. (1987). California Verbal Learning Test: Adult version. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMyer, M. K., Hingten, J. N., & Jackson, R. K. (1981). Infantile autism reviewed: A decade of research. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 7, 388–451.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eales, M. J. (1993). Pragmatic impairments in adults with childhood diagnoses of autism or developmental receptive language disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23, 593–617.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Ritvo, E. R., Schroth, P. C, Tonick, I., Guthrie, D., & Wake, L. (1981). Behavioral characteristics of high-and low-IQ autistic children. American Journal of Psychiatry, 138, 25–29.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frith, U., & Snowling, M. (1983). Reading for meaning and reading for sound in autistic and dyslexic children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 1, 329–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golden, C. J., Purisch, A. D., & Hammeke, T. A. (1985). Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, G., Minshew, N.J., & Siegel, D. J. (1994). Age differences in academic achievement in highfunctioning autistic individuals. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 16, 617–680.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, G., Siegel, D. J., & Minshew, N.J. (1995). Abstraction and problem solving in autism: Further characterization of the fundamental deficit. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 10, 335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. (1989). Infantile autism: A syndrome of multiple primary deficits? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 409–424.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenblatt, E., Mattis, S., & Trad, P. V. (1991). The ACID pattern and the freedom of distractibility factor in a child psychiatric population. Developmental Neuropsychology, 7, 121–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammill, D. D. (1985). Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude-2. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaton, R. K. (1981). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaton, R. K., & PAR Staff (1993). WCST: Computer Version-2 Research edition. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermelin, B., & O’Connor, N. (1975). The recall of digits by normal, deaf and autistic children. British Journal of Psychology, 66, 203–209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, W. L., & Prior, M. (1982). Neuropsychological dimension of autism in children: A test of the hemispheric dysfunction hypothesis. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 4, 27–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, C. (1996). Brief report: Planning problems in autism at the level of motor control. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 99–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of effective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L., Rodriguez, A., & Ashenden, B. (1972). How far can autistic children go in matters of social adaptation? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2, 9–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, A. S., & Kaufman, N. L. (1985). Manual for the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement-Comprehensive Form (K-TEA). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavale, K., & Forness, S. (1985). Learning disability: A pseudoscience. In The science of learning disabilities (pp. 5–38). San Diego, CA: College-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A. (1994). Asperger syndrome. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 3, 131–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Volkmar, F. R., Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, D. V., & Rourke, B. P. (1995). Validity and neuropsychological characterization of Asperger syndrome: Convergence with nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology, Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 36, 1127–1140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leary, M. R., & Hill, D. A. (1996). Moving on: Autism and movement disturbance. Mental Retardation, 34, 39–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, H. S., Culhane, K. A., Hartmann, J., Evankovich, K., Mattson, A. J., Harward, H., Ringholz, G., Ewing-Cobbs, L., & Fletcher, J. M. (1991). Developmental changes in performance on tests of purported frontal lobe functioning. Developmental Neuropsychology, 7, 377–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln, A. J., Courchesne, E., Kilman, B. A., Elmasian, R., & Allen, M. (1988). A study of intellectual abilities in high-functioning people with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 505–524.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C, & Schopler, E. (1989). The role of age at assessment, developmental level, and test in the stability of intelligence scores in young autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 483–499.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manjiviona, J., & Prior, M. (1995). Comparison of Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autistic children on a test of motor impairment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 23–39.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McEvoy, R. E., Rogers, S. J., & Pennington, B. F. (1993). Executive function and social communication deficits in young autistic children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 34, 563–578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N. J., & Goldstein, G. (1993). Is autism an amnesic disorder? Evidence from the California Verbal Learning Test. Neuropsychology, 7, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N.J., Goldstein, G., & Siegel, D. J. (1995). Speech and language in high-functioning autistic individuals. Neuropsychology, 9, 255–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N.J., Goldstein, G., & Siegel, D. J. (1996). Complex memory impairments in autism: Evidence of cortical dysfunction. Annals of Neurology, 40, 333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N.J., Goldstein, G., & Siegel, D. J. (1997). Neuropsychologic functioning in autism: Profile of a complex information processing disorder. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 3, 303–316.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N. J., Goldstein, G., Taylor, H. G., & Siegel, D. J. (1994). Academic achievement in high functioning autistic individuals. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 16, 261–270.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N.J., & Rattan, A. I. (1992). The clinical syndrome of autism. In S. J. Segalowitz & I. Rapin (Eds.), Handbook of neuropsychology: Vol. 7. Child neuropsychology (pp. 65–89). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N. J., Siegel, D. J., Goldstein, G., & Weldy, S. (1994). Verbal problem solving in high functioning autistic individuals. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 9, 31–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mirsky, A. F., Anthony, B. J., Duncan, C. C, Ahearn, M. B., & Kellam, S. G. (1991). Analysis of the elements of attention: A neuropsychological approach. Neuropsychology Review, 2, 109–145.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mosher, F. A., & Hornsby, J. R. (1966). On asking questions. In J. S. Bruner, R. R. Olver, & P. M. Greenfield (Eds.), Studies in cognitive growth (pp. 86–102). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osterrieth, P. A. (1944). Le test de copie d’une figure complexe. Archives de Psychologie, 30, 206–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S. (1995a). Executive functions in autism. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.), Learning and cognition in autism (pp. 199–219). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S. (1995b). Reliability and validity of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in studies of autism. Neuropsychology, 9, 491–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., & McEvoy, R. (1994). A longitudinal study of executive function and theory of mind development in autism. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 415–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., Pennington, B. F., & Rogers, S. J. (1991). Executive function deficits in high-functioning autistic individuals: Relationship to theory of mind. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 32, 1081–1105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., Rogers, S. J., & Pennington, B. F. (1991). Asperger’s syndrome: Evidence of an empirical distinction from high-functioning autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 32, 1107–1122.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perrine, K. (1993). Differential aspects of conceptual processing in the Category test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 15, 461–473.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piven, J., Harper, J., Palmer, P., & Arndt, S. (1996). Course of behavioral change in autism: A retrospective study of high-IQ adolescents and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 523–529.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prior, M. R., & Chen, C. S. (1976). Short-term and serial memory in autistic, retarded, and normal children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 121–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prior, M., & Hoffman, W. (1990). Brief report: Neuropsychology testing of autistic children through an exploration with frontal lobe tests. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 4, 581–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reitan, R. M., & Wolfson, D. (1993). The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery: Theory and clinical interpretation. Tucson, AZ: Neuropsychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rispens, J., & Van Berckelaer, I. A. (1991). Hyperlexia: Definition and criterion. In J. M. Joshi (Ed.), Written language disorders (pp. 143–163). Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ritvo, E. R., Freeman, B. J., Pingree, C, Mason-Brothers, A., Jorde, L., Jenson, W. R., McMahon, W. M., Petersen, P. B., Mo, A., & Ritvo, A. (1989). The UCLA-University of Utah epidemiologic survey of autism: Prevalence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 194–199.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rourke, B. P. (1989). The NLD syndrome: Characteristics, dynamics, and manifestations. In Nonverbal learning disabilities: The syndrome and the model (pp. 80–110). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumsey, J. M. (1985). Conceptual problem-solving in highly verbal, nonretarded autistic men. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 15, 23–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rumsey, J. M. (1992). Neuropsychological studies of high-level autism. In E. Schopler & G. B. Mesibov (Eds.), High-functioning individuals with autism (pp. 41–64). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumsey, J. M., & Hamburger, S. D. (1988). Neuropsychological findings in high-functioning men with infantile autism, residual state. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 10, 201–221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rumsey, J. M., & Hamburger, S. D. (1990). Neuropsychological divergence of high-level autism and severe dyslexia. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 155–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Semel, E., Wiig, E. H., & Secord, W. (1987). Clinical evaluation oflanguage fundamentals-Revised administration manual. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, A., & Frith, U. (1983). An islet ability in autistic children: A research note. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 24, 613–620.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J., Goldstein, G., & Minshew, N. J. (1996). Designing instruction for the high functioning autistic individual. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 8, 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J., Minshew, N.J., & Goldstein, G. (1996). Wechsler IQ profiles in diagnosis of high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 389–406.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smalley, S. L., Asarnow, R. F., & Spence, M. A. (1988). Autism and genetics: A decade of research. Archives of General Psychiatry, 45, 953–961.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, I. M., & Bryson, S. E. (1994). Imitation and action in autism: A critical review. Psychological Bulletin, 116, 259–273.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sussman, K., & Lewandowski, L. (1990). Left-hemisphere dysfunction in autism: What are we measuring? Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 5, 137–146.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szatmari, P., Tuff, L., Finlayson, M. A., & Bartolucci, G. (1990). Asperger’s syndrome and autism: Neurocognitive aspects. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 130–136.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thorndike, R. L., Hagen, E. P., & Sattler, J. M. (1986). Technical manual for the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition. Chicago, IL: Riverside.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venter, A., Lord, C, & Schopler, E. (1992). A follow-up study of high-functioning autistic children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 3, 489–507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R., Szatmari, P., & Sparrow, S. S. (1993). Sex differences in pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23, 579–591.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1987). Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised manual. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weintraub, S., & Mesulam, M. M. (1983). Developmental learning disabilities of the right hemisphere: Emotional, interpersonal, and cognitive components. Archives of Neurology, 40, 463–468.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse, D., & Harris, J. C. (1984). Hyperlexia in infantile autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 281–289.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiig, E. H., & Secord, W. (1989). Test of Language Competence-Expanded edition. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1981). Asperger’s syndrome: A clinical account. Psychological Medicine, 11, 115–129.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woodcock, R. W. (1987). Woodcock Ready Mastery Tests-Revised. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodcock, R. W., & Johnson, M. B. (1989). Examiner’s manual Woodcock—Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised Tests of Achievement. Allen, TX: DLM Teaching Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zachman, L., Jorgensen, C, Huisingh, R., & Barrett, M. (1984). Examiner’s manual Test of Problem Solving TOPS. East Moline, IL: LinguiSystems.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA

    Don J. Siegel

Authors
  1. Don J. Siegel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Gerald Goldstein

  2. Lutheran Affiliated Services, Aging Research and Education Center, Mars, Pennsylvania, USA

    Paul David Nussbaum

  3. School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sue R. Beers

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Siegel, D.J. (1998). Evaluation of High-Functioning Autism. In: Goldstein, G., Nussbaum, P.D., Beers, S.R. (eds) Neuropsychology. Human Brain Function. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1950-2_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1950-2_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1952-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1950-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation