This study focused on identifying the characteristics of children and youth identified as having higher functioning autistic disorder (H-F AD). Teachers of 29 children and youth previously identified as having H-F AD completed a common autism assessment measure on their students, the Autism Behavior Checklist. Review of teachers' ratings of the 29 subjects failed to reveal a common set of characteristics of students with H-F AD. Thus, even though the evaluators identified a variety of exceptional characteristics, including a number that are common to other students with mild disabilities, there was not a consistent image of students with H-F AD. These results are discussed relative to their implications for educational and clinical planning and practice.
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