title: Distinctive Rorschach profiles of young adults with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The differential diagnosis of schizophrenia (SZ) versus autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be clinically challenging because accumulating evidence suggests both clinical and biological overlaps between them. The aim of this study was to compare Rorschach profiles between young adults with SZ and those with ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated quantitative tendencies on the Rorschach test among 20 patients diagnosed with SZ and 20 diagnosed with ASD. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant differences in six response variables on the Rorschach comprehensive system. Those with SZ had significantly higher scores on D score, adjusted D score (Adj D), developmental quality code reflecting ordinary response (DQo), and form quality minus (FQ -) than those with ASD. In contrast, those with SZ had significantly lower scores on the active and developmental quality code reflecting synthesized response (DQ+) subscales than those with ASD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings reveal that individuals with SZ might have more stress tolerance, stronger perception distortions, and simpler and poorer recognition than those with ASD. We suggest that the Rorschach test might be a useful tool for differentiating between SZ and ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamuro
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Nara Medical University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Junzo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Toyosaku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Shohei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kyo Mental Clinic, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Sohei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
keywords: Rorschach test; autism spectrum disorder; perception; psychopathology; schizophrenia