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Cognitive shifting as a predictor of progress in social understanding in high-functioning adolescents with autism: A prospective study

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Abstract

Although striking and pervasive failure of social understanding is commonly viewed as a major defining characteristic of people with autism, few follow-up reports were published that have focused on improvement of social intelligence. In this prospective study in which 17 high-functioning adolescents with autism were involved, cognitive shifting as measured by card sorting tests, unlike overall intelligence, was shown to be the only significant factor in predicting progress in social understanding as assessed by social comprehension tests. A pretestposttest design was used. During the 2-year follow-up all the subjects were in residential care and enrolled in educational curricula focusing on the development of social intelligence, living, and vocational skills.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Psychology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Hans J. C. Berger, Karel P. M. van Spaendonck, Martin W. I. M. Horstink, Elly L. Buytenhuijs, Patty W. J. M. Lammers & Alexander R. Cools

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  1. Hans J. C. Berger
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  2. Karel P. M. van Spaendonck
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  3. Martin W. I. M. Horstink
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  4. Elly L. Buytenhuijs
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  5. Patty W. J. M. Lammers
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  6. Alexander R. Cools
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Berger, H.J.C., van Spaendonck, K.P.M., Horstink, M.W.I.M. et al. Cognitive shifting as a predictor of progress in social understanding in high-functioning adolescents with autism: A prospective study. J Autism Dev Disord 23, 341–359 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046224

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