A comparison of WAIS-R profiles in adults with high-functioning autism or differing subtypes of learning disability

To examine cognitive differences among adults with differing developmental disorders, a com-parison of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised profiles was made with samples of 35 in-dividuals with high-functioning autism (HFA) and 102 individuals with adult learning disability (LD). All participants had Verbal and Performance IQ scores of 70 or higher. The LD group was divided into 3 subtypes based on relative achievement levels in mechanical reading and arithmetic. The group with HFA had a profile characterized by a high score on Block De-sign with a low Comprehension score. The HFA group most resembled the LD subtype that had superior achievement in reading relative to arithmetic, with the exception of their poor perfor-mance on measures of social perception and judgment. Results are discussed in terms of the substantial differences in cognitive structure between these 2 neurodevelopmental disorders and are considered in the context of the learning deficits reported for Asperger’s Disorder and nonverbal learning disability. Key words: autism, learning disability subtypes, WAIS–R Clinical and neuropsychological prototypes in th