Cognitive and emotional intelligence in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without an accompanying intellectual or language disorder

Abstract

Research in the neurosciences has identified distinctions between neural structures that subserve cognitive intelligence (CI) and those subserving emotional intelligence (EI). This study explored the performance of young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) without an accompanying intellectual or language disorder relative to typically-developing peers, on indices of CI and EI. Both the ASD and age- and sex-matched typically-developing groups exhibited high average cognitive intellectual abilities. In contrast, the ASD group reported lower levels of EI relative to their typically-developing peers, as expected given the social and emotional challenges faced by individuals with ASD. Importantly, cognitive intelligence did not correlate with EI in either group. Taken together, these findings further support the theory of dissociable neural systems underlying CI and EI. These findings also highlight the need to address not only the intellectual aspects of cognition, but also the emotional components to increase understanding of, and improve treatment for individuals on the autism spectrum. This understanding would enhance our ability to assess and support young adults with ASD, and ultimately ease their transition into adulthood.