Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Age and Adaptive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with ASD: The Effects of Intellectual Functioning and ASD Symptom Severity

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study examined the moderating effects of intellectual functioning and ASD symptom severity on the relation between age and adaptive functioning in 220 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Regression analysis indicated that intellectual functioning and ASD symptom severity moderated the relation between age and adaptive functioning. For younger children with lower intellectual functioning, higher ASD symptom severity was associated with better adaptive functioning than that of those with lower ASD symptom severity. Similarly, for older children with higher intellectual functioning, higher ASD symptom severity was associated with better adaptive functioning than that of those with lower ASD symptom severity. Analyses by subscales suggest that this pattern is driven by the Conceptual subscale. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., Pickles, A., Simonoff, E., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2011). IQ in children with autism spectrum disorders: Data from the Special Needs and Autism Project (SNAP). Psychological Medicine. doi:10.1017/S003329171000099.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisch, G. S., Simensen, R. J., & Schroer, R. J. (2002). Longitudinal changes in cognitive and adaptive behavior scores in children and adolescents with the Fragile X mutation or autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1023/A:1014888505185.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Del’Homme, M. M., Guthrie, D. D., & Zhang, F. F. (1999). Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale scores as a function of age and initial IQ in 210 autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1023/A:1023078827457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabriels, R. L., Ivers, B., Hill, D. E., Agnew, J. A., & McNeill, J. (2007). Stability of adaptive behaviors in middle-school children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2006.11.004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2013). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind (4th ed.). New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sepeta, L., Wang, Y., Marshall, S., Gomez, L., Sigman, M., & Hutman, T. (2012). Early childhood predictors of the social competence of adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1222-0.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotham, K., Pickles, A., & Lord, C. (2009). Standardizing ADOS scores for a measure of severity in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0674-3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, P. L., & Boney, T. L. (2002). Best practices in the assessment of adaptive behavior. In A. Thomas, J. Grimes (Eds.), Best practices in school psychology IV (Vol. 1, 2, pp. 1167–1179). Washington, DC: National Association of School Psychologists.

  • Harrison, P. L., & Oakland, T. (2003). Adaptive behavior assessment system (2nd ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanne, S. M., Gerber, A. J., Quirmbach, L. M., Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, D. V., & Saulnier, C. A. (2011). The role of adaptive behavior in autism spectrum disorders: Implications for functional outcome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1126-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenworthy, L., Case, L., Harms, M. B., Martin, A., & Wallace, G. L. (2010). Adaptive behavior ratings correlate with symptomatology and IQ among individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0911-4.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Saulnier, C., Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, D. V., Volkmar, F. R., & Lord, C. (2007). Social and communication abilities and disabilities in higher functioning individuals with Autism: The Vineland and the ADOS. Journal of Autism and Develomental Disorders 37, 748–759. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0229-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewkowicz, D. J., & Ghazanfar, A. A. (2009). The emergence of multisensory systems through perceptual narrowing. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2009.08.004.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liss, M., Harel, B., Fein, D., Allen, D., Dunn, M., Feinstein, C., & Rapin, I. (2001). Predictors and correlates of adaptive functioning in children with developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1023/A:1010707417274.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopata, C., Fox, J. D., Thomeer, M. L., Smith, R. A., Volker, M. A., Kessel, C. M., & Lee, G. K. (2012). ABAS-II ratings and correlates of adaptive behavior in children with HFASDs. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. doi:10.1007/s10882-012-9277-1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H. J., Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., & Rutter, M. (2000). The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Generic: A standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1023/A:1005592401947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., & Le Couteur, A. (1994). Autism diagnostic interview—revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/BF02172145.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luckasson, R., Borthwick-Duffy, S., Buntinx, W. H. E., Coulter, D. L., Craig, E. M., Reeve, A., & Tasse, M. J. (2002). Mental retardation: Definition, classification, and systems of support (10th ed.). Washington DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Rivet, T. T., Fodstad, J. C., Dempsey, T., & Boisjoli, J. A. (2009). Examination of adaptive behavior differences in adults with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2009.05.008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, R., Miles, S., Cicchetti, D., Sparrow, S., Klin, A., Volkmar, F., & Booker, S. (2004). Adaptive behavior in autism and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified: Microanalysis of scores on the Vineland adaptive behavior scales. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1023/B:JADD.0000022612.18116.46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, A., Flanagan, H. E., Geier, J., & Freeman, N. L. (2009). Brief report: The Vineland adaptive behavior scales in young children with autism spectrum disorders at different cognitive levels. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0704-9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Psychological Corporation. (1999). Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

  • Ray-Subramanian, C. E., Huai, N., & Weismer, S. (2011). Brief report: Adaptive behavior and cognitive skills for toddlers on the autism spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1083-y.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roid, G. H., & Miller, L. J. (1997). Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R) manual. Wood Dale, IL: Stoelting.

  • Schatz, J., & Hamdan-Allen, G. (1995). Effects of age and IQ on adaptive behavior domains for children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/BF02178167.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schopler, E., Reichler, R. J., & Renner, B. R. (1988). The childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1984). Vineland adaptive behavior scales. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, V. D., & Balla, A. D. (2005). Vineland adaptive behavior scales (2nd ed.). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomanik, S. S., Pearson, D. A., Loveland, K. A., Lane, D. M., & Shaw, J. (2007). Improving the reliability of autism diagnoses: Examining the utility of adaptive behavior. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0227-6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (2002). Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (2003). Wechsler intelligence scale for children (4th ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D., & Naglieri, J. A. (2006). Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by a Flowerree Summer Research Award.

Author contributions

TH and EV conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafting of the manuscript; SG participated in drafting of manuscript and interpretation of the data; JK participated in the collection and coordination of data collection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 2007 Percival Stern Hall, 6400 Freret St., New Orleans, LA, 70118-5636, USA

    Trenesha L. Hill & Sarah A. O. Gray

  2. Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, 200 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA

    Jodi L. Kamps

  3. Department of Psychological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans, Box 194, 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA

    R. Enrique Varela

Authors
  1. Trenesha L. Hill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sarah A. O. Gray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jodi L. Kamps
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Enrique Varela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah A. O. Gray.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hill, T.L., Gray, S.A.O., Kamps, J.L. et al. Age and Adaptive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with ASD: The Effects of Intellectual Functioning and ASD Symptom Severity. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 4074–4083 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2522-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2522-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation