Discrepancies Between Academic Achievement and Intellectual Ability in Higher-Functioning School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Academic achievement patterns and their relationships with intellectual ability, social abilities, and problem behavior are
described in a sample of 30 higher-functioning, 9-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both social abilities
and problem behavior have been found to be predictive of academic achievement in typically developing children but this has
not been well studied in children with ASD. Participants were tested for academic achievement and intellectual ability at
age 9. Problem behaviors were assessed through parent report and social functioning through teacher report at age 6 and 9.
Significant discrepancies between children’s actual academic achievement and their expected achievement based on their intellectual
ability were found in 27 of 30 (90%) children. Both lower than expected and higher than expected achievement was observed.
Children with improved social skills at age 6 demonstrated higher levels of academic achievement, specifically word reading,
at age 9. No relationship was found between children’s level of problem behavior and level of academic achievement. These
results suggest that the large majority of higher-functioning children with ASD show discrepancies between actual achievement
levels and levels predicted by their intellectual ability. In some cases, children are achieving higher than expected, whereas
in others, they are achieving lower than expected. Improved social abilities may contribute to academic achievement. Future
studies should further explore factors that can promote strong academic achievement, including studies that examine whether
intervention to improve social functioning can support academic achievement in children with ASD.