title: Asperger syndrome and "non-verbal learning problems" in a longitudinal perspective: neuropsychological and social adaptive outcome in early adult life.
abstract: Co-existence of Asperger syndrome (AS) and non-verbal learning disability (NLD) has been proposed based on the observation that people with AS tend to have significantly higher verbal than performance IQ (VIQ > PIQ by ≥ 15 points), one of the core features of NLD. In the present study we examined neuropsychological and social adaptive profiles with "non-verbal learning problems" associated with NLD in a group of individuals with AS followed from childhood into early adult life. The group was divided into three subgroups: (i) persistent NLD (P-NLD), i.e. NLD (VIQ > PIQ) both in childhood and early adulthood occasions, (ii) childhood NLD (CO-NLD), i.e. NLD (VIQ > PIQ) only at original diagnosis, or (iii) No NLD (VIQ > PIQ) ever (NO-NLD). All three subgroups were followed prospectively from childhood into adolescence and young adult life. One in four to one in five of the whole group of males with AS had P-NLD. The P-NLD subgroup had poorer neuropsychological outcome in early adult life than did those with CO-NLD and those with NO-NLD. There were no unequivocal markers in early childhood that predicted subgroup status in early adult life, but early motor delay and a history of early speech-language problems tended to be associated with P-NLD.
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: bibbi.hagberg@gnc.gu.se.
authors.forename: Bibbi S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hagberg
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nydén
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cederlund
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gillberg
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: AS; Global functioning; NLD; Neurocognitive function; Social adaption