Performance in Raven's test: Differences between children-adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and reading disabilities

Abstract

This study compared the performance of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Reading Disabilites (RD) in the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrix Test (RCPM). A total of 70 children and adolescents aged 7 to 14 years, with ASD (n=16), with RD (n=19) and with typical development (TD, n=35) participated. Controlling the effect of age, the results indicated superior performance of the ASD group. The DL group presented inferior performance than the other groups in Part A and in the total test score when compared to the DT group. The performance of the TEA group was discussed from the Theory of Weak Central Coherence, while the performance of the DL group, based on the hypothesis of multiple deficits in dyslexia and considering the impact of less access to written materials in visuospatial skills. Studies of this nature may help in the cognitive characterization of children/adolescents with ASD and DL.