Cognitive Profile of Autism and Intellectual Disorder in Wechsler’s Scales: Meta-Analysis

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) frequently coexist and share heterogeneous cognitive manifestations, yet their specific performance patterns on Wechsler scales remain poorly systematized. This meta-analysis synthesized data from 31 studies using the WISC-IV, WISC-V, WAIS-III, and WAIS-IV to compare cognitive index profiles in individuals with ASD, ID and ASD+ID. Standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g) were calculated using random-effects models, adopting a normative reference of mean 100 and SD 15. Results showed a distinct profile for ASD, with greater impairments in the Processing Speed Index (PSI) and Working Memory Index (WMI), while the Vocabulary Comprehension Index (VCI), Perceptual/Fluid Reasoning Index (PRI/FRI), and Visual Processing Index (VPI) remained close to normative scores. In contrast, ID and ASD+ID exhibited generalized deficits across all indices, with the lowest scores in Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) and broad effects above g = −2.5. No significant differences emerged between Wechsler versions or age-based test types. Heterogeneity was high in ASD and ID across outcomes, but negligible in ASD+ID due to reduced k. These findings reinforce that ASD presents a specific cognitive pattern, whereas ID and ASD+ID display diffuse impairment, and that Wechsler scales are consistent across versions for identifying these profiles.