Broad Cognitive Profile in Children and Adolescents with HF-ASD and in Their Siblings: Widespread Underperformance and its Clinical and Adaptive Correlates.

Rosa et al. (2017) tested kids with high-functioning autism and their brothers and sisters. They gave everyone a big battery of thinking tasks. The team wanted to see which skills were weak and if those gaps linked to day-to-day problems.

The HF-ASD group scored lower than typical peers on almost every task. Verbal memory and working memory were the weakest spots. Lower scores matched more autism symptoms and poorer daily living skills. Even the unaffected siblings showed some mild underperformance.

McIntyre et al. (2017) saw the same pattern in reading class: HF-ASD students struggled most when oral language was taxed. The two studies line up—language-related memory is a bottleneck.

Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) added a twist: poor sleep makes working-memory problems hurt even more. Mireia’s team found the weakness; L et al. show why it snowballs in teens who also sleep badly.

Koh et al. (2010) looked only at working memory in younger kids with Asperger’s. They found mixed results—strong verbal recall but weak visuospatial memory. Mireia’s broader test mix shows the weakness is wider than just one area, updating the picture.

You now have a map: check verbal and working memory early. Use quick screeners like digit span or sentence repetition. If scores are low, add language-rich supports and check sleep habits. Target these areas in goals and you may lift both classroom learning and daily living skills.