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. 2026 Jan;32(1):67-78.
doi: 10.1017/S1355617725101653. Epub 2025 Dec 10.

Psychometric properties and validity of the Hong Kong version of the Penn computerized neurocognitive battery (CNB-HK) in Chinese children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Oscar Wing Ho Wong  1 , Angela Man Wai Lam  2 , Tyler Moore  3 , Kosha Ruparel  3 , Sandra Sau Man Chan  1 , Raquel E Gur  3   4 , Ruben C Gur  3   4
Affiliations

Psychometric properties and validity of the Hong Kong version of the Penn computerized neurocognitive battery (CNB-HK) in Chinese children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Oscar Wing Ho Wong et al. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2026 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: Neurocognitive assessment is an essential research instrument for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as the clinical manifestations are rooted in diverse neurocognitive processes that cause variation in clinical presentation. Few instruments comprehensively capture relevant neurocognitive domains, and most require professional assessors. The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) is widely used in child and adolescent psychiatry research across cultures. This study adapted and validated the CNB for a clinical ASD cohort in Hong Kong.

Method: In this Hong Kong version of the CNB (CNB-HK), thirteen cognitive tasks were translated and adapted, with one task for sensorimotor speed and twelve belonging to four specific domains (episodic memory, social cognition, complex cognition, and executive function). The CNB-HK was administered to 636 normal-IQ children with ASD (mean age: 8.4 years, 87.1% male) and 412 children without ASD (mean age: 8.6 years, 55.1% male). Factor structure was examined using factor analyses.

Results: The CNB-HK had high feasibility for children with ASD, with <7% invalid data across all tasks. The original four-factor and bi-factor structures were replicated with good model fit, and partial scalar invariance was achieved between children with and without ASD. The factor scores correlated positively with estimated IQ in the ASD group. The ASD group had worse performance across all four cognitive domains and the g factor compared to the group without ASD.

Conclusions: The CNB-HK is a valid, multi-domain cognitive assessment tool for children with ASD in Hong Kong, offering a feasible and reliable approach for research and clinical settings.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Complex cognition; Executive function; Memory; Neurocognitive assessment; Neurodevelopmental disorder; Social cognition.

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