Cognitive profile in adults with Asperger syndrome using WAIS-IV: Comparison to typical adults

• Cognitive profile of adults with Asperger is quite different from typical adults.
• Adults with Asperger had significant impairments on Processing Speed Index.
• Adults with Asperger had lower score in Search symbol compared to typical adults.

Previous studies have identified areas of cognitive weakness in children diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (AS). However, there are few studies on people with AS diagnosed during adulthood, comparing their cognitive profile to typical adults. In this study, we have compared cognitive profile in 16 adults with AS and 16 adults with typical development. The new WAIS-IV was used to examine cognitive functioning of participants. Our results showed AS group had significant impairments on Processing Speed Index. At the subscale level, a weakness was highlighted in Symbol Search. Furthermore, a process score analysis revealed working memory impairment on the Sequencing condition of Digit Span subtest. Clinical applications of these findings are discussed in the light of scientific literature.