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. 2022 Oct;52(10):4490-4504.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05227-x. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Longitudinal Stability of Intellectual Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Age 3 Through Mid-adulthood

Molly B D Prigge #  1 , Erin D Bigler #  2   3   4   5 , Nicholas Lange  6 , Jubel Morgan  7 , Alyson Froehlich  8 , Abigail Freeman  9 , Kristina Kellett  10 , Karen L Kane  9 , Carolyn K King  7 , June Taylor  7 , Douglas C Dean 3rd  9   11   12 , Jace B King  7 , Jeff S Anderson  7 , Brandon A Zielinski  3   13 , Andrew L Alexander  9   12   14 , Janet E Lainhart  9   14
Affiliations

Longitudinal Stability of Intellectual Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Age 3 Through Mid-adulthood

Molly B D Prigge et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Intelligence (IQ) scores are used in educational and vocational planning for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) yet little is known about the stability of IQ throughout development. We examined longitudinal age-related IQ stability in 119 individuals with ASD (3-36 years of age at first visit) and 128 typically developing controls. Intelligence measures were collected over a 20-year period. In ASD, Full Scale (FSIQ) and Verbal (VIQ) Intelligence started lower in childhood and increased at a greater rate with age relative to the control group. By early adulthood, VIQ and working memory stabilized, whereas nonverbal and perceptual scores continued to change. Our results suggest that in individuals with ASD, IQ estimates may be dynamic in childhood and young adulthood.

Keywords: ASD; Autism spectrum disorder; Cognitive development; Intelligence; Longitudinal study; Stability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Longitudinal changes in intelligence scores over time in ASD and TDC
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Individual predicted change estimates for ASD participants with 4+ time points
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
NVIQ-VIQ discrepancy score changes in ASD subgroups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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