title: Intellectual ability, self-perceived social competence, and depressive symptomatology in children with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders.
abstract: Although social competence deficits in children with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders (HFASD) are well documented, there is little research investigating self-perceptions of social limitations. This study replicated research showing a negative association between self-perceived social competence and intellectual ability and investigated associations between self-perceived social competence and depressive symptomatology. Participants were 22 children with HFASD, aged 7-13 years with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores of 82-141. Parent- (N = 18) and teacher- (N = 17) rated social competence was lower for children with HFASD compared with a normative sample. Higher age and IQ predicted lower levels of self-perceived social competence, and low self-perceived social competence predicted higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Almost a third of children rated themselves for depression; parent ratings suggested even higher levels.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. sandyv@psych.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vickerstaff
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heriot
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dossetor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires