The Latent Structure of Autistic Traits:A Taxometric, Latent Class and Latent Profile Analysis of the Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient

Autistic traits are widely thought to operate along a continuum. A taxometric analysis of Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient data was conducted to test this assumption, finding little support but identifying a high severity taxon. To understand this further, latent class and latent profile models were estimated that indicated the presence of six distinct subtypes: one with little probability of endorsing any autistic traits, one engaging in ‘systemising’ behaviours, three groups endorsing multiple components of Wing and Gould’s autistic triad, and a group similar in size and profile to the taxon previously identified. These analyses suggest the AQ (and potentially by extension autistic traits) have a categorical structure. These findings have important implications for the analysis and interpretation of AQ data

Links between Autistic Traits, Feelings of Gender Dysphoria, and Mentalising Ability: Replication and Extension of Previous Findings from the General Population

Gender nonconformity is substantially elevated in the autistic population, but the reasons for this are currently unclear. In a recent study, Kallitsounaki and Williams (2020; authors 1 and 2 of the current paper) found significant relations between autistic traits and both gender dysphoric feelings and recalled cross-gender behaviour, and between mentalising ability and gender dysphoric feelings. The current study successfully replicated these findings (results were supplemented with Bayesian analyses), in sample of 126 adults. Furthermore, it extended the previous finding of the role of mentalising in the relation between autistic traits and gender dysphoric feelings, by showing that mentalising fully mediated this link. Results provide a potential partial explanation for the increased rate of gender nonconformity in the autistic population

Exploratory Study of Executive Function Abilities Across the Adult Lifespan in Individuals Receiving an ASD Diagnosis in Adulthood

The few studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across adulthood suggest different age-related associations in different aspects of executive function (EF). In this exploratory study we examined EF abilities and self-report autism traits in 134 adults (aged 18-75 years; mean=31 years) with abilities in the normal range, receiving a first diagnosis of ASD. Results suggest that in some EF relying on speed and sequencing (Trails A and B; Digit Symbol), late-diagnosed ASD individuals may demonstrate better performance than typical age-norms. On other EF (Digit Span, Hayling, Brixton tests) age-related correlations were similar to typical age-norms. Different domains of EF may demonstrate different trajectories for ageing with ASD, with patterns of slower, accelerated or equivalent age-related change observed across different measures

Exploratory Study of Executive Function Abilities Across the Adult Lifespan in Individuals Receiving an ASD Diagnosis in Adulthood

The few studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across adulthood suggest different age-related associations in different aspects of executive function (EF). In this exploratory study we examined EF abilities and self-report autism traits in 134 adults (aged 18-75 years; mean=31 years) with abilities in the normal range, receiving a first diagnosis of ASD. Results suggest that in some EF relying on speed and sequencing (Trails A and B; Digit Symbol), late-diagnosed ASD individuals may demonstrate better performance than typical age-norms. On other EF (Digit Span, Hayling, Brixton tests) age-related correlations were similar to typical age-norms. Different domains of EF may demonstrate different trajectories for ageing with ASD, with patterns of slower, accelerated or equivalent age-related change observed across different measures