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Review
. 2024 May 21;39(4):498-515.
doi: 10.1093/arclin/acad073.

Cognitive Profile in Autism and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Performance on the WAIS-IV and WISC-V

Alexander C Wilson  1
Affiliations
Review

Cognitive Profile in Autism and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Performance on the WAIS-IV and WISC-V

Alexander C Wilson. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. .

Abstract

Objective: Previous research has suggested that neurodevelopmental conditions may be associated with distinctive cognitive profiles on the Wechsler intelligence tests (of which the most recent editions are the WAIS-IV and WISC-V). However, the extent to which a cognitive profile can be reliably identified for individuals meeting criteria for autism or ADHD remains unclear. The present review investigated this issue.

Method: A search was conducted in PsycInfo, Embase, and Medline in October 2022 for papers reporting the performance of children or adults diagnosed with autism or ADHD on the WAIS-IV or the WISC-V. Test scores were aggregated using meta-analysis.

Results: Scores were analyzed from over 1,800 neurodivergent people reported across 18 data sources. Autistic children and adults performed in the typical range for verbal and nonverbal reasoning, but scored ~1 SD below the mean for processing speed and had slightly reduced scores on working memory. This provides evidence for a "spiky" cognitive profile in autism. Performance of children and adults with ADHD was mostly at age-expected levels, with slightly reduced scores for working memory.

Conclusion: Although the pattern of performance on the Wechsler tests is not sufficiently sensitive or specific to use for diagnostic purposes, autism appears to be associated with a cognitive profile of relative strengths in verbal and nonverbal reasoning and a weakness in processing speed. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears less associated with a particular cognitive profile. Autistic individuals may especially benefit from a cognitive assessment to identify and support with their strengths and difficulties.

Keywords: ADHD; Autism; Cognitive functioning; Cognitive profile; Wechsler Intelligence Scale.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart showing movement of sources through the screening process of the literature search.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(a) Plot showing subtest scaled scores of autistic adults on the WAIS-IV. (b) Plot showing subtest scaled scores of adults with ADHD on the WAIS-IV. (c) Plot showing subtest scaled scores of autistic children on the WISC-V. (d) Plot showing subtest scaled scores of children with ADHD on the WISC-V. (a-d) In all plots, the thick black line represents summary means calculated through meta-analysis. The thinner coloured lines represent means from the individual studies. Note: SI = Similarities; VC = Vocabulary; IN = Information; BD = Block Design; VP = Visual Puzzles; MR = Matrix Reasoning; DS = Digit Span; AR = Arithmetic; CD = Coding; SS = Symbol Search; FW = Figure Weights; PS = Picture Span.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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