Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to determine if individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display a unique pattern of responses on the Personality
Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A). Specifically, a profile analysis was
conducted to determine if the pattern could be used to identify and diagnose adolescents
with ASD. Twenty Adolescents between ages 12 and 18 completed the PAI-A and their
scores were compared to a matched community and clinical sample from the
standardization sample of the PAI-A. Results indicated the ASD sample was significantly
higher than the community sample on the anxiety-related disorders, depression, and
schizophrenia scales. The ASD group was significantly lower than the clinical group on
the anti-social scales. The results of the present study supported previous research and
identified the potential of a personality profile for adolescents with ASD on the PAI-A.
Future research should expand the profile analysis to include validity scales, treatment
scales, and subscales, as well as identify any potential differences in gender
