Cognitive Profiles of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder on the Japanese Version of WISC-IV:

Abstract

After children with autism spectrum disorder ( N ＝116 ; mean age, 9 . 37 years, SD , 2 . 63 ) completed the Japanese version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), the data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the goodness of fit and factor construction (factor loadings of subtests) based on the traditional WISC-IV 4 -factor model, and the 5 -factor model derived from the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory: crystallized ability, fluid reasoning, visual spatial ability, short-term memory, and processing speed. The results indicated that although both models had high goodness of fit, the Cattell-Horn-Carroll model had better fit. With respect to factor construction, matrix reasoning loaded on visual spatial ability, rather than on fluid reasoning. This finding relating to factor construction is different from the results reported in studies done outside of Japan, but is consistent with the results of a previous study conducted on a standardized sample in Japan. Additionally, 5 clusters were extracted from the Cattell-Horn-Carroll model. The autism and Asperger profiles reported in previous studies were also identified in the present research. Furthermore, 2 clusters were identified, which were: (a) a cluster with relatively high scores on short-term memory, and (b) a cluster with relatively high scores on processing speed. Among those clusters, significant differences were found between the scores on visual spatial ability and the scores on fluid reasoning. These results suggest that this version of the Cattell-Horn-Carroll model may provide a more detailed understanding of individual differences among children with autism spectrum disorder than the WISC-IV model does.