Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological condition that profoundly impacts individuals throughout their lives. In special secondary education, autistic youth frequently receive...Show moreAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological condition that profoundly impacts individuals throughout their lives. In special secondary education, autistic youth frequently receive inaccurate post-secondary destinations due to a deficit of knowledge and guidelines for assessing factors like intelligence and executive functioning within a developmental framework. This study aimed to explore the role of intelligence and executive functioning in determining the post-secondary destinations of autistic students in special secondary education. Gaining insight into the factor determining the transition outcomes of autistic students is crucial, as these outcomes significantly impact their future career prospects and further education. Consequently, this study could help prevent the negative consequences such as over- and underload and societal disengagement. Data were obtained by analysing developmental perspective files, with a total of 14 participants (93% male) aged 12-18 years included in the study. The findings suggest that autistic students with higher levels of intelligence are more inclined to pursue further education. Conversely, those with higher levels of executive functioning tend to have a lower likelihood of transitioning to further education and tend to gravitate towards employment. Furthermore, executive functioning was found to moderate the relationship between intelligence and the post-secondary destination. When executive functioning is low, there is a stronger correlation between intelligence and post-secondary destination. A lower level of intelligence implies employment, while a higher level of intelligence implies higher education. However, higher levels of executive functioning weaken the association between intelligence and post-secondary destination.In such cases, both high and low levels of intelligence may lead to employment for the students. The implications and alternative explanations for these findings are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.Show less
This study examined the influence of the level of intelligence on the level and form of social anxiety (SA) in boys and girls with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children (n = 160),...Show moreThis study examined the influence of the level of intelligence on the level and form of social anxiety (SA) in boys and girls with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children (n = 160), between eight and eighteen years old with a mean age of 11.0 years (SD = 1.7), with ASD (n = 50) and without ASD (n = 110) completed the subtests Vocabulary and Block Patterns from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale of Children-III (WISC-III-NL) and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children (SAS-k). Also other factors are taken into account, namely difference between several types of ASD, verbal and performance intelligence, forms of SA and gender in relation to SA. Children with ASD reported more SA than children without ASD, and SA is linked to the level of intelligence, in the sense that the higher the level of intelligence, the lower the level of SA. Children experienced more SA in situations which demand their intellectual skills and their outward appearance in social situations. Furthermore, children with a higher level of verbal intelligence reported a lower level of SA compared with children with a lower level of verbal intelligence. At last, children with autism reported a higher level of SA compared with children with Asperger's Syndrome or children without ASD. These findings demonstrate the relationship between children with ASD and the level of SA and the influence of intelligence. Also the importance of intelligence tests in the initiation of clinical treatment.Show less
