Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with approaches used to assess the intellectual abilities of persons with autism. In order to evaluate the intellectual abilities of persons with autism it is necessary for the clinician to appreciate what is known about the organization of intellectual abilities that are typically associated with the disorder and to understand how to effectively assess mental retardation because it frequently is present as a comorbid condition. Thus, it is critical that clinicians assessing such individuals have both the understanding and the capacity to evaluate across a range of developmental abilities as well as have at their disposal appropriate instruments that can be employed as part of the evaluation.