Social cognition in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and personality disorders

Average intelligent patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and patients with personality disorders (PD) are expected to show different problems in social cognition. Consequently, measuring social cognition may contribute to a better understanding and differentiation of ASD and PD. Therefore, we explored social cognition in these patient groups. Tests included the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso-Emotional-Intelligence-Test (MSCEIT) and Emotional-Quotient-Inventory (EQ-i). Analyses indicate that the ASD patients estimate themselves as more impaired on the ability to read emotions, but better on intrapersonal functioning, than the PD patients. In addition, both patient groups show more social cognitive impairment as compared to age and sex matched non-patient data. This holds true both for the self-report measure and part of an ability measure. Further research involving a dimensional approach and detailed profiling of strengths and weaknesses is advised to gain better understanding of the specificity and intensity of impairments, and of further differences between these disorders.