Research Comparing HFA and AS Diagnoses

Summary of studies comparing individuals with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism (Asperger syndrome groups higher IQ) from Patricia Howlin, Autism and Asperger Syndrome (2004).

Table 1.2 from Howlin
Authors Year Criteria HFA:AS Conclusions
General clinical characteristics
Szatmari et al. 1995 Modified ICD-10 47:21 HFA > social and adaptive problems, rituals and early language delays. No differences in current non-verbal/communication/motor skills.
Eisenmajer et al. 1996 Clinical diagnosis 48:69 Few differences on any variables, delayed language only significant difference in HFA group
Kurita 1997 ICD-10 16:26 Few significant differences but HFA > on some CARS items
Gilchrist et al. 2001 ICD-10 13:20 HFA > ADI problems age 4-5 years. No difference in current functioning on ADI or ADOS.
Obstetriclearly history and motor skills
Ghaziuddin et al. 1994 ICD-10 9:11 No significant differences in motor skills.
Ghaziuddin et al. 1995b ICD-10 9:11 No significant differences in neonatal optimality scores
Ghaziuddin and Butler 1998 DSM-IV/ICD-10 12:12 No significant differences in motor skills when IQ controlled for
Manjiviona and Prior 1999 Modified ICD-10 9:12 AS > PIQ but no differences in motor skills
Neuropsychological and language profiles
Ghaziuddin and Gerstein 1996 ICD-10 13:17 AS > pedantic speech
Ehlers et al. 1997 Gillberg criteria 40:40 Differences in cognitive profiles; AS higher scores on most subtests
Pomeroy 1998 Non-language impaired PDD 13:15 AS > VIQ; also > language comprehension and expression
Manjiviona and Prior 1999 Modified/strict DSM-IV 21:35 AS > VIQ no differences on neuropsychological profiles
Miller and Ozonoff 2000 DSM-IV 26:14 No significant differences in motor skills, executive function or TOM when IQ co-varied.
Behavioural and psychiatric problems
Ghaziuddin et al. 1995a ICD-10 8:12 AS > disorganized thought; few other significant differences
Tonge et al. 1999 DSM-IV 75:52 AS > psychopathology
Kim et al. 2000 Modified DSM-IV 40:19 No differences in depression/anxiety/mood

Summary of studies comparing individuals with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism matched for full-scale IQ

Table 1.3 from Howlin
Authors Year Criteria HFA:AS Conclusions
General clinical characteristics
Szatmari et al. 1990 Wing's criteria 17:26 HFA > social impairments, language problems, stereotypes and preoccupations
Mayes et al. 2001 Modified DSM-IV 23:24 No difference on any of 71 variables (IQ, language, symptomatology, motor co-ordination, emotion or behaviour
Ozonoff and McMahon Griffith 2000 DSM-IV 23:12 HFA > ADI scores at 4; few differences in current scores. No differences in social functioning. AS > special interests HFA > insistence on sameness
Obstetric early history and motor abnormalities
Szatmari et al 1989a Wing's criteria 25:28 HFA > early abnormalities in social, language and behavious
Gillberg and Gillberg 1989 Gillberg criteria 23:23 AS > clumsy
Neuropsychological and language profiles
Szatmari et al. 1990 DSM-III 17:26 Few differences in IQ profiles, motor or other test scores
Ozonoff et al. 1991 Modified ICD-10 13:10 AS > VIQ and > VIQ-PIQ difference. AS > verbal memory executive function and TOM scores. HFA > CARS scores
Fine et al 1994 Wing's criteria 18:23 Cohesive discourse > in AS group
Klin et al 1995 Modified ICD-10 19:21 HFA > PIQ and better motor skills; AS > VIQ and higher verbal ability
Iwanaga et al. 2000 DSM-IV 15:10 No significant differences on gross or fine motor tasks, and most non-verbal tests. AS > HFA on some verbal tasks
Klin 2000 DSM-IV 20:20 No differences on social attribution task
Rinehart et al. 2001 DSM-IV 12:12 HFA > problems in shifting attention
Ozonoff et al. 2002 DSM-IC 23:12 Few differences but AS > VIQ-PIQ different; HFA > expressive problems. No differences on executive function/TOM tasks
Behavioural and psychiatric disturbance
Szatmari 1989b Wing's criteria 25:28 HFA > bizarre preoccupations; AS > psychiatric problems