The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children

Previous studies have found correlations between uneven intellectual development and autistic symptom severity but thus far each study has looked only at specific types of discrepancy score and results have been inconsistent. This study used the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the British Ability...

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Main Authors: Richard Melling, Jeremy M. Swinson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2016-12-01
Series:Cogent Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2016.1149136
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author Richard Melling
Jeremy M. Swinson
author_facet Richard Melling
Jeremy M. Swinson
author_sort Richard Melling
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies have found correlations between uneven intellectual development and autistic symptom severity but thus far each study has looked only at specific types of discrepancy score and results have been inconsistent. This study used the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the British Ability Scales (second edition) to look for a correlation between autistic-like traits and an overall index of unevenness based on three types of discrepancy score, namely: discrepancies between IQ subscales; discrepancies between IQ domain scores; and, discrepancies between overall IQ and word-level literacy skills. The AQ scale was designed to measure autistic-like symptoms both in those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and at all levels across the general population. The study sample was therefore not restricted to children with an ASD. The 106 school age participants had a mean IQ of 97 (SD 19.6) and a mean AQ (child version) score of 69.6 (SD 24.6). After controlling for IQ, each of the three intellectual discrepancy types accounted for unique variance in AQ with a large overall effect size. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies are recommended to examine how far uneven intellectual development may be an analogue for aberrant cortical connectivity.
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spelling doaj.art-8ccbe54dee264370af8c0dafa17ac47c2022-12-21T20:01:08ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Psychology2331-19082016-12-013110.1080/23311908.2016.11491361149136The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age childrenRichard Melling0Jeremy M. Swinson1University of ManchesterCumbria County CouncilPrevious studies have found correlations between uneven intellectual development and autistic symptom severity but thus far each study has looked only at specific types of discrepancy score and results have been inconsistent. This study used the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the British Ability Scales (second edition) to look for a correlation between autistic-like traits and an overall index of unevenness based on three types of discrepancy score, namely: discrepancies between IQ subscales; discrepancies between IQ domain scores; and, discrepancies between overall IQ and word-level literacy skills. The AQ scale was designed to measure autistic-like symptoms both in those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and at all levels across the general population. The study sample was therefore not restricted to children with an ASD. The 106 school age participants had a mean IQ of 97 (SD 19.6) and a mean AQ (child version) score of 69.6 (SD 24.6). After controlling for IQ, each of the three intellectual discrepancy types accounted for unique variance in AQ with a large overall effect size. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies are recommended to examine how far uneven intellectual development may be an analogue for aberrant cortical connectivity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2016.1149136autism spectrum disordersaqcognitionintelligencereadingspellingsub-clinical autistic traits
spellingShingle Richard Melling
Jeremy M. Swinson
The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
Cogent Psychology
autism spectrum disorders
aq
cognition
intelligence
reading
spelling
sub-clinical autistic traits
title The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
title_full The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
title_fullStr The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
title_short The relationship between Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and uneven intellectual development in school-age children
title_sort relationship between autism spectrum quotient aq and uneven intellectual development in school age children
topic autism spectrum disorders
aq
cognition
intelligence
reading
spelling
sub-clinical autistic traits
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2016.1149136
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