Integrating neuropsychological research on autism and psychosis to improve clinical outcomes

Although the clinical phenotypes of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders are considered distinct, there are substantial areas of overlap between both diagnoses. The two conditions co-occur disproportionately often, and research has begun to explore the impact of their simultaneous occurrence on clinically relevant outcomes such as depression and quality of life. In this Review, we describe what is known about the rates of co-occurrence between autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and delineate their unique and shared neuropsychological features regarding sensory processing, cognitive functioning (including language production) and social interactions. Despite this increasing body of literature, critical questions remain about how symptoms of autism and psychosis can best be differentiated, and which treatment options are best suited for people with co-occurring symptoms. We end by providing a research road map to direct efforts towards filling these knowledge gaps.