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(Ivanhoe Newswire) — New research from University of Montreal reveals traditional ways of measuring autistic intelligence are inaccurate.

Autistic intelligence is usually measured by averaging scaled scores of Wechsler scales subtests, which are composed of oral questions requiring oral responses and oral questions requiring non-verbal answers. Both require mastery of oral language.

Autistics with oral language who perform Wechsler scales consistently score very low (below the 25th percentile) on a verbal subtest and very high (above the 75th percentile) on a non-verbal subtest. The Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM) may resolve this. The problem-solving test neither requires oral instruction nor relies on manipulating long-term memorized information.

Researchers found RPM consistently estimates the intelligence of oral autistics to be 30th percentile points above Wechsler full-scale IQ.

“Even more impressive is that some mute or non-verbal autistics who perform very poorly in Wechsler perform at an outstanding level (95th percentile) in RPM, a test which requires verbal skills in typical people in order to be performed successfully,” explains Laurent Mottron, Ph.D., University of Montreal researcher. “This is evidence that autistics do not need to solve RPM verbally, and that this test, which consists of information autistic brains are able to process well, represents a window for the accurate assessment of autistic intelligence.”

The study also questions measuring autistic intelligence at ages 4 and 5, when an autistic child has not yet reached the maximum testability and intellectual potential. The authors say the tests would be more appropriate at age 6 or older.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: The Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in St. Louis, Feb. 16-20, 2006