Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game.

Researchers asked 8- to young learners kids to play a simple money game. Each child chose to split coins either equally or to keep more for themselves. Half of the kids had autism and average IQ; half were neurotypical peers.

The game had two rules. In one round, choosing more coins for yourself also took coins away from the partner. In the other round, taking extra did not hurt the partner. Kids made choices in private and met the partner afterward.

Both groups preferred equal splits when equality cost them nothing. When taking extra coins did not hurt the partner, autistic children switched to self-gain more often than peers. They still called the split fair, even when it was unequal.

Neurotypical children mostly stayed with equal splits, even when they could gain more without penalty.

Granieri et al. (2020) extends this finding into adulthood. Autistic adults were rated more negatively by both neurotypical and autistic partners, yet they reported feeling closer to other autistic partners. Together the studies show autistic individuals may use different social rules, not lack social interest.

Vink et al. (2019) used a similar lab game with kids who had developmental delays. They found that when pairs lacked clear leaders, tasks failed. Pairing this with Boudreau et al. (2015) suggests that explicit roles or rules help neurodiverse groups cooperate.

Rasga et al. (2017) showed autistic kids catch up to peers on false-belief tasks by age ten. Boudreau et al. (2015) adds that even after catching up, their economic choices still differ, pointing to separate social-motivation tracks.

You may see cognitively able autistic clients accept unequal deals without protest. This is not always passive compliance; it can be a reasoned choice when they see no harm to others. Teach them to scan for hidden social costs and to self-advocate for fair shares. Use clear visual scoreboards in group work so gains and losses are visible to everyone.