Emotion Perception Mediates the Predictive Relationship Between Verbal Ability and Functional Outcome in High-Functioning Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sadao Otsuka,Motomi Toichi,Shota Uono,Sayaka Yoshimura,Shuo Zhao

doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3036-1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify specific cognitive abilities that predict functional outcome in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to clarify the contribution of those abilities and their relationships. In total, 41 adults with ASD performed cognitive tasks in a broad range of neuro- and social cognitive domains, and information concerning functional outcomes was obtained. Regression analyses revealed that emotion perception and verbal generativity predicted adaptive functioning directly, and the former mediated between the other two. These findings provide the first evidence of a triadic relationship among neuro- and social cognition and functional outcome in this population. Our results suggest that psychosocial interventions targeting these cognitive abilities could benefit social adaptation in adults with ASD.

Highlights

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction, coupled with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (American Psychiatric Association 2013)
Previous studies have reported that general cognitive or language ability predicts facial emotion recognition (FER) performance in children with ASD, but not typically developing children (Dyck et al 2006; Hobson 1986). These findings suggest the possibility that abilities in social cognition, which predict adaptive functioning and are predicted by neurocognitive abilities, may mediate a predictive relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome in adults with ASD
We identified emotion perception, verbal ability, and detail-focused processing from a broad range of domains in neuro- and social cognition as cognitive predictors of adaptive functioning in adults with ASD and average or higher IQ

Summary

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction, coupled with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (American Psychiatric Association 2013). ASD is a heterogeneous condition in terms of severity and the type of symptoms. Reflecting the heterogeneity of characteristics in individuals with ASD, there is considerable variation in outcomes. Their adaptive behavior skills are typically lower than predicted by cognitive capacity, and social functioning in adulthood, including independent living, employment, friendships, and intimate relationships, is generally poor (for a review, see Howlin and Moss 2012). The symptoms may be inconspicuous, ASD can affect adaptive and social functioning in individuals with the condition over the course of their life. In terms of prognostic predictions and developing effective interventions for individuals with ASD, it is important to identify predictors of functional outcome, including adaptive and social functioning, both of which correlate closely in individuals with ASD (Farley et al 2009)

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