INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 10 Program Schedule 02/17/2024 09:00 am - 10:15 am Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental \| Congenital Conditions Final Abstract #16 Disparities in Intelligence Quotient Scales Between Youth Diagnosed with ASD and Neurotypical Counterparts Jonathan Brett, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States Dania Dabbagh, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States Claire Stafford, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States Paige Meisner, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States Ryan Bennett, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States Category: Autism Spectrum Disorders/Developmental Disorders/Intellectual Disability Keyword 1: intellectual functioning Keyword 2: intelligence Keyword 3: autism spectrum disorder Objective: To examine the differences in Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ) and Performance IQ (PIQ) between children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing subjects. Participants and Methods: Participants (N=1080) were selected from a deidentified clinical autism database. Participants were stratified into groups based on ASD diagnosis: ASD diagnosed (n=522,M_age=16.5, 87.74% male) and typically developing control (n=558,M_age=16.6, 82.26% male). Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scales were measured for each group. A MANOVA followed by separate ANCOVAs were employed to analyze the differences in FSIQ, VIQ, and PIQ, while controlling for age and sex. Results: The MANOVA indicated significant overall differences in IQ scales between the two groups (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.952, F(3, 858) = 14.340, p < .001, η_p²= 0.048). Subsequent ANCOVAs revealed significant differences in FSIQ (F(1,1029) = 41.38, p <.001, η_p²= 0.039), VIQ (F(1, 901) = 53.12, p <.001,η_p²= 0.056), and PIQ (F(1, 915) = 10.04, p = 0.002,η_p²= 0.011) between the groups. The ASD group demonstrated lower mean scores in FSIQ (105.27 vs 111.25), VIQ (103.86 vs 111.55), and PIQ (104.88 vs 108.08) compared to the typically developing controls. Conclusions: The study reveals a critical divergence in Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ), and Performance IQ (PIQ) between adolescents diagnosed with ASD and their typically developing peers. Both the MANOVA, as indicated by the Wilks’ Lambda, and the ANCOVAs demonstrate that children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD scored lower on all three IQ scales that were investigated. These findings, while in-line with previous research, underscore the need for targeted interventions that address these cognitive disparities. Importantly, the study found that neither age nor sex were significant predictors of IQ scores, suggesting that the observed differences are more directly attributable to the condition of ASD itself rather than other demographic factors. The analysis suggests that many adolescents with ASD, while scoring lower on IQ scales, still fall within the average range. This may indicate that inclusion in general education settings may be feasible with the right support mechanisms. The study’s findings also warrant further research to unpack the underlying mechanisms contributing to these IQ disparities. Overall, the study accentuates the need for a nuanced understanding of the cognitive profiles of adolescents with ASD, thereby informing strategies for their educational and social integration.

Poster

02/17/2024
09:00 am - 10:15 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental | Congenital Conditions

Final Abstract #16

Disparities in Intelligence Quotient Scales Between Youth Diagnosed with ASD and Neurotypical Counterparts

Jonathan Brett, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States
Dania Dabbagh, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States
Claire Stafford, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States
Paige Meisner, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States
Ryan Bennett, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, United States

Category: Autism Spectrum Disorders/Developmental Disorders/Intellectual Disability

Keyword 1: intellectual functioning
Keyword 2: intelligence
Keyword 3: autism spectrum disorder

Objective:

To examine the differences in Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ) and Performance IQ (PIQ) between children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing subjects.

Participants and Methods:

Participants (N=1080) were selected from a deidentified clinical autism database. Participants were stratified into groups based on ASD diagnosis: ASD diagnosed (n=522,M_age=16.5, 87.74% male) and typically developing control (n=558,M_age=16.6, 82.26% male). Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scales were measured for each group. A MANOVA followed by separate ANCOVAs were employed to analyze the differences in FSIQ, VIQ, and PIQ, while controlling for age and sex.

Results:

The MANOVA indicated significant overall differences in IQ scales between the two groups (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.952, F(3, 858) = 14.340, p < .001, η_p²= 0.048). Subsequent ANCOVAs revealed significant differences in FSIQ (F(1,1029) = 41.38, p <.001, η_p²= 0.039), VIQ (F(1, 901) = 53.12, p <.001,η_p²= 0.056), and PIQ (F(1, 915) = 10.04, p = 0.002,η_p²= 0.011) between the groups. The ASD group demonstrated lower mean scores in FSIQ (105.27 vs 111.25), VIQ (103.86 vs 111.55), and PIQ (104.88 vs 108.08) compared to the typically developing controls.

Conclusions:

The study reveals a critical divergence in Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ), and Performance IQ (PIQ) between adolescents diagnosed with ASD and their typically developing peers. Both the MANOVA, as indicated by the Wilks’ Lambda, and the ANCOVAs demonstrate that children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD scored lower on all three IQ scales that were investigated. These findings, while in-line with previous research, underscore the need for targeted interventions that address these cognitive disparities. Importantly, the study found that neither age nor sex were significant predictors of IQ scores, suggesting that the observed differences are more directly attributable to the condition of ASD itself rather than other demographic factors. The analysis suggests that many adolescents with ASD, while scoring lower on IQ scales, still fall within the average range. This may indicate that inclusion in general education settings may be feasible with the right support mechanisms. The study’s findings also warrant further research to unpack the underlying mechanisms contributing to these IQ disparities. Overall, the study accentuates the need for a nuanced understanding of the cognitive profiles of adolescents with ASD, thereby informing strategies for their educational and social integration.