Showing papers on "Asperger syndrome published in 2003"
TL;DR: There is evidence that changes in case definition and improved awareness explain much of the upward trend of rates in recent decades, however, available epidemiological surveys do not provide an adequate test of the hypothesis of a changing incidence of PDDs.
Abstract: This paper was commissioned by the committee on the Effectiveness of Early Education in Autism of the National Research Council (NRC). It provides a review of epidemiological studies of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) which updates a previously published article (The epidemiology of autism: a review. Psychological Medicine 1999; 29: 769–786). The design, sample characteristics of 32 surveys published between 1966 and 2001 are described. Recent surveys suggest that the rate for all forms of PDDs are around 30/10,000 but more recent surveys suggest that the estimate might be as high as 60/10,000. The rate for Asperger disorder is not well established, and a conservative figure is 2.5/10,000. Childhood disintegrative disorder is extremely rare with a pooled estimate across studies of 0.2/10,000. A detailed discussion of the possible interpretations of trends over time in prevalence rates is provided. There is evidence that changes in case definition and improved awareness explain much of the upward trend of rates in recent decades. However, available epidemiological surveys do not provide an adequate test of the hypothesis of a changing incidence of PDDs.
1,607 citations
TL;DR: The Social Responsiveness Scale is a valid quantitative measure of autistic traits, feasible for use in clinical settings and for large-scale research studies of autism spectrum conditions.
Abstract: Studies of the broader autism phenotype, and of subtle changes in autism symptoms over time, have been compromised by a lack of established quantitative assessment tools. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS—formerly known as the Social Reciprocity Scale) is a new instrument that can be completed by parents and/or teachers in 15–20 minutes. We compared the SRS with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) in 61 child psychiatric patients. Correlations between SRS scores and ADI-R algorithm scores for DSM-IV criterion sets were on the order of 0.7. SRS scores were unrelated to I.Q. and exhibited inter-rater reliability on the order of 0.8. The SRS is a valid quantitative measure of autistic traits, feasible for use in clinical settings and for large-scale research studies of autism spectrum conditions.
1,396 citations
TL;DR: A new self-report questionnaire, the Systemizing Quotient (SQ), which reveals both a sex difference in systemizing in the general population and an unusually strong drive to systemize in Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.
Abstract: Empathy is an essential part of normal social functioning, yet there are precious few instruments for measuring individual differences in this domain. In this article we review psychological theories of empathy and its measurement. Previous instruments that purport to measure this have not always focused purely on empathy. We report a new self-report questionnaire, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), for use with adults of normal intelligence. It contains 40 empathy items and 20 filler/control items. On each empathy item a person can score 2, 1, or 0, so the EQ has a maximum score of 80 and a minimum of zero. In Study 1 we employed the EQ with n = 90 adults (65 males, 25 females) with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA), who are reported clinically to have difficulties in empathy. The adults with AS/HFA scored significantly lower on the EQ than n = 90 (65 males, 25 females) age-matched controls. Of the adults with AS/HFA, 81% scored equal to or fewer than 30 points out of 80, compared with only 12% of controls. In Study 2 we carried out a study of n = 197 adults from a general population, to test for previously reported sex differences (female superiority) in empathy. This confirmed that women scored significantly higher than men. The EQ reveals both a sex difference in empathy in the general population and an empathy deficit in AS/HFA.
810 citations
TL;DR: Patients with autism spectrum disorders showed a significant reduction in repetitive behaviors following oxytocin infusion in comparison to placebo infusion, and may be partially ameliorated by synthetic oxytocIn infusion.
637 citations
TL;DR: A large number of adults with autism who had shown early delays in language were compared with individuals who were reported to have had no such delays, either in their use of words or phrases, and poor performance on language tests challenges the assumption that early language development in Asperger syndrome is essentially normal.
Abstract: The question of whether Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism should be considered as the same or different conditions has been a source of debate and controversy over recent years. In the present study, 34 adults with autism who had shown early delays in language were compared with 42 individuals who were reported to have had no such delays, either in their use of words or phrases. All participants were at least 18 years of age, had a nonverbal IQ of 70 or above and met ADI-R criteria for age of onset, communication and social impairments, and stereotyped behaviors. Those in the language delay group were diagnosed as having high-functioning autism. The remainder were designated as having Asperger syndrome. The groups were matched for age, nonverbal IQ and gender. No significant differences were found between the groups either in their total ADI-R algorithm scores, or in their algorithm scores on individual domains. Social outcome ratings and ADI-R scores based on current functioning also failed to differentiate between the groups. Scores on tests of language comprehension and expression were also similar, but in both groups language abilities were well below chronological age level. The implications of these results with respect to the differences between Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism are discussed. The poor performance on language tests also challenges the assumption that early language development in Asperger syndrome is essentially normal.
569 citations
TL;DR: It was revealed that the narrative abilities of children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome were associated with performance on measures of emotional understanding, but not theory of mind or verbal IQ, in relation to the social and emotional underpinnings of narrative discourse.
Abstract: This study examines the narrative abilities of 28 high-functioning children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome and 22 typically developing children across two different discourse contexts. As compared with the typically developing children, the high-functioning group performed relatively well in the storybook context but exhibited difficulty imbuing their narratives of personal experience with the more sophisticated characteristics typically employed by the comparison group. Furthermore, children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome demonstrated impairments inferring and building on the underlying causal relationships both within and across story episodes in both narrative contexts. Findings further revealed that the narrative abilities of children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome were associated with performance on measures of emotional understanding, but not theory of mind or verbal IQ. Findings are discussed in relation to the social and emotional underpinnings of narrative discourse.
426 citations
TL;DR: This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the role of gender and coping among parents of children with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome in an Australian sample and describes the various strategies that parents use to cope with their child's disability.
406 citations
TL;DR: The findings of the three main neuro-cognitive theories of autism are reviewed: theory-of-mind deficit, weak central coherence and executive dysfunction.
Abstract: Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. The consequences of this disorder for everyday life adaptation are extremely variable. The general public is now more aware of the high prevalence of this lifelong disorder, with ca. 0.6% of the population being affected. However, the signs and symptoms of autism are still puzzling. Since a biological basis of autism was accepted, approaches from developmental cognitive neuroscience have been applied to further our understanding of the autism spectrum. The study of the behavioural and underlying cognitive deficits in autism has advanced ahead of the study of the underlying brain abnormalities and of the putative genetic mechanisms. However, advances in these fields are expected as methodological difficulties are overcome. In this paper, recent developments in the field of autism are outlined. In particular, we review the findings of the three main neuro-cognitive theories of autism: theory-of-mind deficit, weak central coherence and executive dysfunction.
386 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that prosody in autism spectrum disorders is an under-researched area and that where research has been undertaken, findings often conflict.
Abstract: Background: Many individuals with autism spectrum disorders present with unusual or odd-sounding prosody. Despite this widely noted observation, prosodic ability in autism spectrum disorders is often perceived as an underresearched area. Aims: This review seeks to establish whether there is a prosodic disorder in autism, what generalizations can be made about its various manifestations and whether these manifestations vary according to the diagnosis. A literature review was carried out to establish what areas of prosody in autism spectrum disorders have been researched to date, what the findings have been and to determine what areas are yet to be researched. Main contribution: It is shown that prosody in autism spectrum disorders is an under-researched area and that where research has been undertaken, findings often conflict. The findings of these conflicting studies are compared and recommendations are made for areas of future research. Conclusions: Research in this area has covered mostly prosodic expression, although some more recent studies cover comprehension, processing and the relationship of receptive prosodic ability to theory of mind. Findings conflict and methodology varies greatly.
360 citations
TL;DR: Adolescents with high-functioning autism and CA- and IQ- matched typically developing adolescents were administered a series of global-local visual tasks, including a traditional task of hierarchical processing, three tasks of configural processing, and a disembedding task that involved rapid perceptual processing.
Abstract: Background: According to predictions from the Weak Central Coherence (WCC) theory for perceptual processing, persons with autism should display a tendency to focus on minute details rather than on a more general picture (Frith & Happe, 1994). However, the evidence for this theory is not consistent with findings of an enhanced detection of local targets (Plaisted, O'Riordan, & Baron-Cohen, 1998b; Plaisted, Swettenham, & Rees, 1999), but a typical global bias (Mottron, Burack, Stauder, & Robaey, 1999; Ozonoff, Strayer, McMahon, & Filloux, 1994).
Method: Adolescents with high-functioning autism and CA- (approximately 15 years) and IQ- (approximately 105–110) matched typically developing adolescents were administered a series of global–local visual tasks, including a traditional task of hierarchical processing, three tasks of configural processing, and a disembedding task that involved rapid perceptual processing.
Results: No group differences were found on either the traditional task of hierarchical processing or on tasks of configural processing. However, group differences were found on the disembedding task as the search for embedded, in relation to isolated stimuli, was slower for the typically developing adolescents but similar for the participants with autism.
Conclusions: These findings are consistent with other reports of superior performance in detecting embedded figures (Jolliffe & Baron-Cohen, 1997; Shah & Frith, 1983), but typical performance in global and configural processing (Mottron, Burack et al., 1999; Ozonoff et al., 1994) among persons with high-functioning autism. Thus, the notions of local bias and global impairment that are part of WCC may need to be reexamined.
338 citations
TL;DR: A new selfreport questionnaire, the Friendship Questionnaire (FQ), is reported, which reveals both a sex difference in the style of friendship in the general population and provides support for the extreme male brain theory of autism.
Abstract: Friendship is an important part of normal social functioning, yet there are precious few instruments for measuring individual differences in this domain. In this article, we report a new self-report questionnaire, the Friendship Questionnaire (FQ), for use with adults of normal intelligence. A high score on the FQ is achieved by the respondent reporting that they enjoy close, empathic, supportive, caring friendships that are important to them; that they like and are interested in people; and that they enjoy interacting with others for its own sake. The FQ has a maximum score of 135 and a minimum of zero. In Study 1, we carried out a study of n = 76 (27 males and 49 females) adults from a general population, to test for previously reported sex differences in friendships. This confirmed that women scored significantly higher than men. In Study 2, we employed the FQ with n = 68 adults (51 males, 17 females) with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism to test the theory that autism is an extreme form of the male brain. The adults with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism scored significantly lower on the FQ than both the male and female controls from Study 1. The FQ thus reveals both a sex difference in the style of friendship in the general population, and provides support for the extreme male brain theory of autism.
TL;DR: The results support the emphasis of early intervention programmes on language but more work needs to be done on understanding variables that influence outcome in social skills and autistic behaviours, particularly in those with AS.
Abstract: Background: The objective of this paper is to assess the extent to which measures of cognitive abilities taken in an inception cohort of young high functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome predict outcome roughly two and six years later.
Method: Children who received a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome (AS) and who had a nonverbal IQ score in the ‘non-retarded’ range were included in the inception cohort. Measures of language and nonverbal skills were taken when the children were 4–6 years of age and outcome assessments were completed when the children were 6–8 and 10–13 years of age. The three outcome measures consisted of scales of adaptive behaviours in socialisation and communication and a composite measure of autistic symptoms (abnormal language, abnormal body and object use, difficulties relating to others, sensory issues and social and self-help difficulties).
Results: The explanatory power of the predictor variables was greater for communication and social skills than for autistic symptoms. The power of prediction was stable over time but did differ by PDD subtype. In general, the association between language skills and outcome was stronger in the autism group than in the AS group.
Conclusions: These results support the emphasis of early intervention programmes on language but more work needs to be done on understanding variables that influence outcome in social skills and autistic behaviours, particularly in those with AS.
Journal Article•
Book•
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a checklist of possible sensory experiences in autism and recommend rainbows and umbrellas for children with sensory dysfunction or different sensory experiences, as well as cognitive and perceptual styles.
Abstract: Foreword, Wendy Lawson. Foreword, Theo Peeters. Introduction to the Problem. 1. Sensory Dysfunction or Different Sensory Experiences. 2. Perception. 3. Possible Sensory Experiences in Autism. 4. Perceptual Styles 5. Cognitive Styles. 6. Other Sensory Conditions. 7. Treatments. 8. Sensory Perceptual Profile. 9. Recommendations: rainbows and Umbrellas. Conclusion. References. Appendix 1: Sensory Profile Checklist. Appendix 2: Key for Decoding Questionnaire. Photocopiable Rainbow and Table.
TL;DR: Results indicate that a social skills group implemented in an outpatient clinic setting was effective in improving greeting and play skills, with less clear improvements noted in conversation skills.
Abstract: Although social skills group interventions for children with autism are common in outpatient clinic settings, little research has been conducted to determine the efficacy of such treatments. This study examined the effectiveness of an outpatient clinic-based social skills group intervention with four high-functioning elementary-aged children with autism. The group was designed to teach specific social skills, including greeting, conversation, and play skills in a brief therapy format (eight sessions total). At the end of each skills-training session, children with autism were observed in play sessions with typical peers. Typical peers received peer education about ways to interact with children with autism. Results indicate that a social skills group implemented in an outpatient clinic setting was effective in improving greeting and play skills, with less clear improvements noted in conversation skills. In addition, children with autism reported increased feelings of social support from classmates at school following participation in the group. However, parent report data of greeting, conversation, and play skills outside of the clinic setting indicated significant improvements in only greeting skills. Thus, although the clinic-based intervention led to improvements in social skills, fewer changes were noted in the generalization to nonclinic settings.
TL;DR: In a sample of 137 children, age 24-96 months, classified as having autism or ASD by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, 24 percent had a history of at least one chronic gastrointestinal symptom.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in a general population of children with autism or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The study site was a clinic specializing in ASD in a large pediatric medical center serving a 10 county area in the midwestern USA. In a sample of 137 children, age 24-96 months, classified as having autism or ASD by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, 24 percent had a history of at least one chronic gastrointestinal symptom. The most common symptom was diarrhea, which occurred in 17 percent. There was no association between chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of developmental regression. The potential phenotypic association between autism and gastrointestinal symptoms is discussed.
TL;DR: It is proposed that perception operates to enhance the representation of individual perceptual features but that this does not impact adversely on representations that involve integration of features.
Abstract: The weak central coherence hypothesis of Frith is one of the most prominent theories concerning the abnormal performance of individuals with autism on tasks that involve local and global processing. Individuals with autism often outperform matched nonautistic individuals on tasks in which success depends upon processing of local features, and underperform on tasks that require global processing. We review those studies that have been unable to identify the locus of the mechanisms that may be responsible for weak central coherence effects and those that show that local processing is enhanced in autism but not at the expense of global processing. In the light of these studies, we propose that the mechanisms which can give rise to 'weak central coherence' effects may be perceptual. More specifically, we propose that perception operates to enhance the representation of individual perceptual features but that this does not impact adversely on representations that involve integration of features. This proposal was supported in the two experiments we report on configural and feature discrimination learning in high-functioning children with autism. We also examined processes of perception directly, in an auditory filtering task which measured the width of auditory filters in individuals with autism and found that the width of auditory filters in autism were abnormally broad. We consider the implications of these findings for perceptual theories of the mechanisms underpinning weak central coherence effects.
TL;DR: This article reprises some of the history given elsewhere in this issue to bring out what the author believes to be the historically grounded prejudices that are the first challenge to anyone wanting to help adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome.
TL;DR: The results show that children with autistic spectrum disorders come from a family background of dysregulated amino acid metabolism and provide further evidence for an underlying biochemical basis for the condition.
Abstract: Plasma amino acid levels were measured in autistic and Asperger syndrome patients, their siblings, and parents. The results were compared with values from age-matched controls. Patients with autism or Asperger syndrome and their siblings and parents all had raised glutamic acid, phenylalanine, asparagine, tyrosine, alanine, and lysine (p < .05) than controls, with reduced plasma glutamine. Other amino acids were at normal levels. These results show that children with autistic spectrum disorders come from a family background of dysregulated amino acid metabolism and provide further evidence for an underlying biochemical basis for the condition.
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study investigated the perceptions of friendship faced by teenagers diagnosed with Asperger syndrome through the use of semistructured intervieWs, which resulted in a number of broad themes in the data: (a) understanding of concepts or language regarding friendships, (b) description of what is a friend, (c) describing what is not a friend and (d) describing an acquaintance, and (e) using masquerading to cope with social deficits.
Abstract: This qualitative study investigated the perceptions of friendship faced by teenagers diagnosed With Asperger syndrome. This research aimed to provide teachers With an insight into the social World of Asperger syndrome from a student perspective. A multiple—case study approach Was used to collect data from 5 secondary school students in Australia. Data Were collected through the use of semistructured intervieWs. An inductive approach to data analysis resulted in a number of broad themes in the data: (a) understanding of concepts or language regarding friendships, (b) description of What is a friend, (c) description of What is not a friend, (d) description of an acquaintance, and (e) using masquerading to cope With social deficits. The insights provided by the participants in this study are valuable for teachers, parents, and anyone else involved in inclusive education.
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Autistic people fail to activate the 'fusiform face area' during face perception tasks and show weak activation of medial frontal cortex and superior temporal gyrus when performing theory of mind tasks, suggesting a failure of integration of sensory processing with cognitive evaluation.
Abstract: There is no clear evidence from imaging studies for specific structural abnormalities in the brains of people with autism. The most robust observation is of greater total brain volume. There is evidence that this greater volume is not present at birth, but appears during the first few years. This brain enlargement might be a marker of abnormal connectivity due to lack of pruning. While abnormalities have often been reported in the cerebellum and the amygdala, these are difficult to interpret since both increases and decreases in the size of these structures have been observed. Another way of identifying the neural basis of autism is to investigate brain systems underlying cognitive functions compromised in this disorder such as face perception and 'theory of mind'. Autistic people fail to activate the 'fusiform face area' during face perception tasks and show weak activation of medial frontal cortex and superior temporal gyrus when performing theory of mind tasks. These problems stem from a lack of integration of sensory processing with cognitive evaluation. I speculate that this problem reflects a failure of top-down modulation of early sensory processing. The problem could result from abnormal connectivity and lack of pruning.
TL;DR: A significant improvement in the three domains relevant for the diagnosis of autism, independent of age or IQ level is revealed, and it is suggested that improvement belongs to the ‘natural history’ of the handicap.
Abstract: The study examined developmental changes in autistic symptoms retrospectively in a sample of 28 verbal children and adolescents with autism. Individuals with Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, and related medical conditions were not included in the study. We compared autistic symptoms present at the retrospective assessment and during the 4- to 5-year age period using the ADI-R. Our findings revealed a significant improvement in the three domains relevant for the diagnosis of autism, independent of age or IQ level. Improvement occurred in more symptoms from the social than the communication domain, and for more symptoms from the latter than the restricted interest and repetitive behavior domains. The finding that improvement was not linked to level of functioning and was found in individuals still positive for a diagnosis of autism suggests that improvement belongs to the 'natural history' of the handicap.
TL;DR: This case report outlines the cognitive-behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a 7-year-old female with Asperger syndrome and issues regarding symptom presentation, assessment, and treatment of a dually diagnosed patient are discussed.
Abstract: This case report outlines the cognitive-behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a 7-year-old female with Asperger syndrome. Interventions were based upon the work of March and Mulle and were adapted in light of the patient's cognitive, social, and linguistic characteristics. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms improved markedly after approximately 6 months of treatment. Issues regarding symptom presentation, assessment, and treatment of a dually diagnosed patient are discussed.
TL;DR: Maturational disturbances in establishing lateral preference rather than increased rates of left handedness are indicated, indicating Atypical establishment of cerebral dominance may be one cause of disordered language development in autism.
Abstract: Disturbances in lateral preference in autism are of interest because of their potential to shed light on brain maturational processes in this disorder. Forty-seven autistic individuals with a history of disordered early language development and 22 autistic individuals with normal early language acquisition were matched with 112 healthy individuals and compared on a standardized measure of lateral preference, the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Autistic individuals with a history of early language disturbance showed more atypical cerebral dominance than both healthy participants and autistic individuals with normal early language skills. The data indicated maturational disturbances in establishing lateral preference rather than increased rates of left handedness. Atypical establishment of cerebral dominance may be one cause of disordered language development in autism.
Book•
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: A retrospective analysis of the clinical case records of 'autistic psychopaths' diagnosed by Hans Asperger and his team at the University Children's Hospital, Vienna suggests that individual differences in brain abnormalities in autism are significantly different from normal sex differences.
Abstract: Introduction 1. Understanding autism: insights from mind and brain 2. A retrospective analysis of the clinical case records of 'autistic psychopaths' diagnosed by Hans Asperger and his team at the University Children's Hospital, Vienna 3. Identifying neurocognitive phenotypes in autism 4. Why is joint attention a pivotal skill in autism? 5. Does the perception of moving eyes trigger reflexive visual orienting in autism? 6. The pathogenesis of autism: insights from congenital blindness 7. The enactive mind, or from actions to cognition: lessons from autism 8. The systemizing quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism and normal sex differences 9. Towards an understanding of the mechanisms of weak central coherence effects: experiments in visual configural learning and auditory perception 10. Disentangling weak coherence and executive dysfunction: planning drawing in autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder 11. Autism and movement disturbance 12. Investigating individual differences in brain abnormalities in autism 13. The role of the fusiform face area in social cognition: implications for the pathobiology of autism
TL;DR: Psychosocial functioning in Swedish adults with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA) is reported on, with a systematically selected sample of patients and relatives interviewed concerning their psychosocial situation.
Abstract: This study reports on psychosocial functioning in Swedish adults with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA). A systematically selected sample of patients and relatives was interviewed concerning their psychosocial situation. The majority was living independently. All persons but one were unemployed. None was married and none had children. Only a few had some kind of partner. Most persons needed a high level of public and/or private support. The overall adjustment was rated good in 12 percent, fair in 75 percent and poor in 12 percent. Adult persons with AS/HFA have extensive need for support from their families and/or society. This information is important in order to provide adequate interventions that are in accordance with the expressed needs of the individuals themselves.
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that auditory sensory processing is deficient in children with AS, and that these deficits might be implicated in the perceptual problems encountered by children with As.
TL;DR: Using an ABAB design, the Social Story program appeared to result in a decrease in the number of food and drink spills and an increase in the frequency of appropriate mouth- wiping during lunch at school.
Abstract: This study assessed the utility of a Social Story intervention to improve the lunchtime eating behaviors of an adolescent diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Using an ABAB design, the Social Story program appeared to result in a decrease in the number of food and drink spills and an increase in the frequency of appropriate mouth-wiping during lunch at school.
TL;DR: Those gaining higher scores were more likely to have been given the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (as opposed to autism), to have had a definite diagnosis, and to have children who were not currently in an educational placement.
Abstract: Satisfaction with disclosure of the diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder was investigated using a self-report questionnaire completed by 126 parents On a rating of satisfaction, 55 percent indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the disclosure Parents were more likely to be satisfied if they gave positive ratings to the manner of the professional and the quality of the information provided; if they had been given written information and the opportunity to ask questions; and if their early suspicions had been accepted by professionals These factors were combined into a global index of satisfaction; those gaining higher scores were more likely to have been given the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (as opposed to autism), to have had a definite diagnosis, and to have children who were not currently in an educational placement These results underline the importance of the interaction between parent and professional during the disclosure interview
TL;DR: Examination of the error patterns revealed that subjects with autism had difficulty handling surprise and coherence within humorous narratives in cartoons and jokes.
Abstract: This study investigated the ability of adolescents with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism and an age-matched group of typical adolescents to comprehend humorous materials. The analysis of humor focused on picking funny endings for cartoons and jokes. As expected, the adolescents with autism had significantly poorer comprehension of cartoons and jokes. Both groups had more difficulty with the joke than the cartoon task, but when compared with the typical group, the adolescents with autism performed significantly poorer. Examination of the error patterns revealed that subjects with autism had difficulty handling surprise and coherence within humorous narratives.