Intelligence and executive functioning in adolescence: comparing autism spectrum disorder and typical development.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study examined the relationship between intelligence and executive functions (EF) in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual disability (ASD-WID), focusing on the roles of IQ level, sex differences, and comparisons with typically developing (TD) peers matched for age and IQ.

Methods

A total of 214 participants (118 ASD, 96 TD; aged 12-18 years) were assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Color Trails Test (CTT) as measures of planning, cognitive flexibility, and attentional switching. Cognitive ability was assessed using the WISC-R or WAIS-R, yielding full-scale IQ and three cognitive factors: Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, and Working Memory/Resistance to Distractors. Four subgroups (ASD/TD × high/low

SUBMITTER: Pudlo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12819240 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature