A meta-analysis of differences in IQ profiles between individuals with Asperger's disorder and high-functioning autism.

The team pooled 52 older studies that gave IQ tests to people with Asperger’s disorder and to people with high-functioning autism.

They compared full-scale, verbal, and performance IQ scores to see if the two groups show different patterns.

Across all studies, the Asperger group scored higher on every IQ index.

Only the Asperger group showed the classic “verbal IQ higher than performance IQ” profile.

Lincoln et al. (1988) first noticed the verbal-over-visual-motor split in high-functioning autism; the new numbers confirm that early clue.

Sanders (2009) says the two labels are just mild versus severe points on one spectrum. The IQ split found here argues the opposite — the groups look qualitatively different.

Schaaf et al. (2015) show that a quarter to a half of old Asperger cases lose the ASD label under DSM-5. The unique IQ profile gives you one more data point when you decide if a client still meets criteria.

If a teen’s verbal IQ tops performance IQ by 10–15 points, think back to the earlier Asperger picture. Note this pattern in your report; it may help justify services when borderline DSM-5 criteria threaten to bump the child off the spectrum.