scholarly journals Predicting the diagnosis of autism in adults using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 2595-2604 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Ashwood ◽  
N. Gillan ◽  
J. Horder ◽  
H. Hayward ◽  
E. Woodhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Co Morbidity

BackgroundMany adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain undiagnosed. Specialist assessment clinics enable the detection of these cases, but such services are often overstretched. It has been proposed that unnecessary referrals to these services could be reduced by prioritizing individuals who score highly on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a self-report questionnaire measure of autistic traits. However, the ability of the AQ to predict who will go on to receive a diagnosis of ASD in adults is unclear.MethodWe studied 476 adults, seen consecutively at a national ASD diagnostic referral service for suspected ASD. We tested AQ scores as predictors of ASD diagnosis made by expert clinicians according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria, informed by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) assessments.ResultsOf the participants, 73% received a clinical diagnosis of ASD. Self-report AQ scores did not significantly predict receipt of a diagnosis. While AQ scores provided high sensitivity of 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72–0.82] and positive predictive value of 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.80), the specificity of 0.29 (95% CI 0.20–0.38) and negative predictive value of 0.36 (95% CI 0.22–0.40) were low. Thus, 64% of those who scored below the AQ cut-off were ‘false negatives’ who did in fact have ASD. Co-morbidity data revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may ‘mimic’ ASD and inflate AQ scores, leading to false positives.ConclusionsThe AQ's utility for screening referrals was limited in this sample. Recommendations supporting the AQ's role in the assessment of adult ASD, e.g. UK NICE guidelines, may need to be reconsidered.

scholarly journals Validation of the Dutch Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q-NL)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wikke van der Putten ◽  
Joost Agelink van Rentergem ◽  
Tulsi Radhoe ◽  
Carolien Torenvliet ◽  
Annabeth Groenman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Dutch Translation

Camouflaging behavior is defined as using strategies to hide autistic characteristics. In the present study, we investigate the psychometric properties of a self-report questionnaire measuring camouflaging behavior: the Dutch translation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q-NL). In total, 674 individuals (of which 356 autistic) aged 30 to 92, filled out the CAT-Q-NL and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). In addition, we administered the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) in a subsample of 90 autistic adults. We executed preregistered analyses (AsPredicted #37800) to investigate the factor structure, measurement invariance, internal consistency and group differences. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the CAT-Q-NL to the discrepancy between the AQ and ADOS-2. We found an acceptable fit for the original three-factor structure and sufficient to good internal consistency for total and factor scores. However, we did not find measurement invariance between autistic and non-autistic individuals. Correlations between CAT-Q-NL-scores and the discrepancy between AQ and ADOS-2 varied between low to mediocre (r = .04 to .28). Therefore, more research is needed into the convergent validity of the CAT-Q-NL. We conclude that the CAT-Q-NL can be used to measure camouflaging behavior within and between autistic individuals, but not between autistic and non-autistic individuals.

scholarly journals Association among Autistic Traits, Treatment Intensity and Outcomes in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: Preliminary Results

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3605
Author(s):  
Jacopo Pruccoli ◽  
Simone Rosa ◽  
Carlo Alberto Cesaroni ◽  
Elisabetta Malaspina ◽  
Antonia Parmeggiani
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Treatment Intensity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

The present study investigates the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits on the treatment intensity and outcomes (psychopathology and weight) of 22 adolescent inpatients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), who were selected on the basis of suspected ASD traits. ASD traits were measured at admission (T0) using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Psychopathology was measured with Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and Self-Administered Psychiatric Scales for Children and Adolescents (SAFA) at admission and discharge (T0, T1). Percentage BMI was assessed at admission, discharge, first follow-up (T2, 7–22 days) and second follow-up (T3, 22–45 days). Results were controlled for age and EDI-3 global psychological maladjustment. When compared with other patients with AN, AN individuals with ADOS-2 and AQ diagnostic scores for ASD showed overlapping types of treatments, as well as psychopathological and weight outcomes. ASD total scores were not correlated with treatment intensity or treatment outcomes. Preliminary results show that ASD traits do not impact treatment intensity and outcomes in adolescents with AN and suspected ASD traits.

scholarly journals Co-Occurrence of ASD and ADHD Traits in an Adult Population

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 1407-1415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Panagiotidi ◽  
Paul G. Overton ◽  
Tom Stafford
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Common Etiology

Objective: ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be viewed as the extreme end of traits found in the general population. Clinical and genetic studies suggest that ADHD and ASD often co-occur and share genetic susceptibility. The aim of this study was to examine co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD traits in the general population. Method: In total, 334 participants were recruited from a population-based sample. Four questionnaires assessing current and retrospective ADHD and ASD traits were administered online: the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25), the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results: A significant correlation was found between ADHD and autistic traits. In particular, higher inattention and overall ADHD scores were associated with self-reported deficits in communication and social skills. Conclusion: Our findings are similar to results from studies on clinical populations, suggesting that ADHD and ASD might share common etiology.

scholarly journals Comparison of Autistic Traits between Iranian Students with Different Ethnical Background: A Cross-Cultural Study ​

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojtaba Elhami Athar ◽  
Ali Ebrahimi ◽  
Sirvan Karimi ◽  
Roya Esmaeili ◽  
Esmaeil Mousavi Asl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Conditions ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Number Pattern

Abstract Background: Autistic traits (ATs) include symptoms associated with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs), which are assumed to be continuously distributed across the general population. Studies had indicated the cultural differences in the expression ATs. To our knowledge, this is the first study designed to compare the expression of autistic traits between different ethnicities from the same country. Methods: Using the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ-28), we examined the possible cultural differences in the expression of autistic traits from four groups of students with different ethnicities backgrounds, including Turkish (n = 262), Persian (n = 290), Kurdish (n = 300), and Luri (n = 307) students. Results: Behaviors associated with autistic traits were reported overall higher for males than females. Also, significant cultural differences in autistic traits were found that were different for males and females. Furthermore, while the medical sciences student group scored significantly than the humanities group in the Imagination dimension, the humanities group had significantly high scores in Number/Pattern dimensions than the engineering and medical sciences groups. Limitations: First, other ethnicities (e.g., Arabs, Baloch) were not studied because of the lack of access. Second, for data gathering, we used only the self-report method. Third, our study included only a student sample but not the community and clinical samples from different ethnicities. Finally, our study sample included only students who are not representative of their entire ethnicity.Conclusions: Altogether, our results provide further support for the idea that the expression of ATs is significantly influenced by culture.

scholarly journals Descriptive analysis of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in a sample of Brazilian adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Luiza Costa Alves ◽  
Jonas Jardim de Paula ◽  
Debora Marques de Miranda ◽  
Marco Aurelio Romano-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Clinical Score ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Clinical Validity ◽  
Autism Diagnosis ◽  
Stereotyped Behaviors ◽  
Future Work

Background: The Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by the presence of difficulties in social interaction, inflexible, repetitive and/or stereotyped behaviors and interests. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-report instrument with 50 items created to quantify autistic traits in individuals older than 18 years with average or above-average intelligence. Objectives: The principal aim was to present a brief descriptive analysis of the AQ in a heterogeneous sample of Brazilian adults, also, to measure the clinical validity of the scale. Method: We recruited all the participants in Brazil (N=1024). Then we described the distribution in the general population (N=385) and investigated the AQ accuracy in a sample of autistic adults (N=32). Results: Our results suggested that autism traits were normally distributed in the population, but Brazilian adults have shown a different profile from the original study. Further, we found that 24 adults from the sample had a clinical score on the AQ, compatible with their previous autism diagnosis. Discussion: Our population probably reports more symptoms compared to other because the original clinical score represents a lower percentile in our sample. Also, future work will be required to adequate the use of the AQ in the Brazilian population.

Individual Differences in Autism Traits, Personality, and Emotional Responsiveness to Music in the General Population

2021 ◽  
pp. 102986492098816
Author(s):  
Shalini Sivathasan ◽  
Gwenaëlle Philibert-Lignières ◽  
Eve-Marie Quintin
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Broader Autism Phenotype ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Emotional Responsiveness ◽  
The Relationship

Little is known about the relationship between the personality and the emotional experiences of people with broader autism phenotype (BAP) or autistic traits. Given that music is a powerful vehicle for conveying emotions and that several studies show that people with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically respond to music in similar ways, the present study examines the relationship between personality, autistic traits, and emotional experiences evoked by music. A total of 110 participants ( n = 74 females) aged 18 to 35 years ( M = 21.25, SD = 3.36) completed the NEO-Five Factor Inventory-3-S, Social Responsiveness Scale-2, Autism-Spectrum Quotient, and Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index self-report questionnaires. Path analyses revealed that the relationship between autistic traits and emotional responsiveness to music was fully mediated by extraversion, and to a lesser extent openness to experience. These results suggest that people in the general population who have fewer autistic traits and who tend to be extraverted and open to experience report greater emotional responsiveness to music than those who are less extraverted and less open to experience. These findings suggest that it is important to consider personality characteristics when considering the relationship between autistic traits and emotional experiences.

scholarly journals Emotion Recognition Abilities in Adults with Anorexia Nervosa are Associated with Autistic Traits

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jess Kerr-Gaffney ◽  
Luke Mason ◽  
Emily Jones ◽  
Hannah Hayward ◽  
Jumana Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Comorbid Psychopathology

Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to examine emotion recognition abilities in individuals in the acute and recovered stages of AN compared to healthy controls (HCs). A second aim was to examine whether attention to faces and comorbid psychopathology predicted emotion recognition abilities. The films expressions task was administered to 148 participants (46 AN, 51 recovered AN, 51 HC) to assess emotion recognition, during which attention to faces was recorded using eye-tracking. Comorbid psychopathology was assessed using self-report questionnaires and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–2nd edition (ADOS-2). No significant differences in emotion recognition abilities or attention to faces were found between groups. However, individuals with a lifetime history of AN who scored above the clinical cut-off on the ADOS-2 displayed poorer emotion recognition performance than those scoring below cut-off and HCs. ADOS-2 scores significantly predicted emotion recognition abilities while controlling for group membership and intelligence. Difficulties in emotion recognition appear to be associated with high autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, rather than a feature of AN. Whether individuals with AN and high ASD traits may require different treatment strategies or adaptations is a question for future research.

Autistic traits in a sample of adult patients with schizophrenia: prevalence and correlates

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Barlati ◽  
G. Deste ◽  
M. Gregorelli ◽  
A. Vita
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Distinct Group ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

AbstractBackgroundSchizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently conceptualized as distinct disorders. However, the relationship between these two disorders has been revisited in recent years due to evidence that they share phenotypic and genotypic expressions. This study aimed to identify ASD traits in patients with schizophrenia, and to define their demographic, psychopathological, cognitive and functional correlates.MethodSeventy-five schizophrenia patients (20 females, mean age 42 ± 12) were evaluated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Participants were also assessed with clinical, neuropsychological, and psychosocial functioning measures.ResultsOf the 75 patients, 47 were negative to all the autism scales administered (ADOS-TOT-NEG), 21 patients were positive to the ADOS Language sub-domain (ADOS-L-POS), 21 patients were positive to the ADOS Reciprocal Social Interaction (RSI) sub-domain (ADOS-RSI-POS), 14 patients were positive to the ADOS Total scale (ADOS-TOT-POS), and nine patients were positive to the ADI-R scale (ADI-R-POS). Demographic (duration of illness), psychopathological (negative symptoms and general psychopathology), and cognitive (working memory and processing speed) differences emerged between schizophrenic patients with and without ASD traits, while no differences in psychosocial functioning were detected. Results of this study indicate the existence, in a sample of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, of a distinct group of subjects with ASD features, characterized by specific symptomatological and cognitive profile.ConclusionsThese findings may contribute to better characterize patients with schizophrenia in order to develop new procedures and therapeutic tools in a more personalized perspective.

scholarly journals Autistic Traits, STEM, and Medicine: Autism Spectrum Quotient Scores Predict Medical Students’ Career Specialty Preferences

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824402110503
Author(s):  
Emma Turner ◽  
Emma Aitken ◽  
Gareth Richards
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Paths ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
And Mathematics

There is a higher than chance representation of autistic people and people with elevated autistic traits in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries. Medical students, despite studying a STEM subject, have lower autistic traits than other STEM students. Medicine is heterogenous, covering technique-oriented specialties (e.g., surgery) with little patient interaction, person-oriented specialties (e.g., pediatrics), and general practice. We present an online survey in which 502 UK university students (medicine, n = 344; STEM, n = 94; non-STEM, n = 64) reported their study area and career aspirations and completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a quantitative self-report measure of autistic traits. Our main findings were that medical students had significantly lower AQ scores than other STEM ( p < .001, d = 0.614) and non-STEM students ( p < .001, d = 0.874), and that medical students aiming to pursue technique-focused career paths had significantly higher AQ scores than medical students aiming to pursue person-oriented career paths ( p = .009, d = 0.318). Each of these effects remained statistically significant after adjusting for alpha inflation. The findings of this study corroborate those of previous research reporting a link between autism and STEM; they also provide evidence that autistic traits are a predictor of medical students’ career ambitions, with those students with high AQ scores being more likely to pursue technique-focused (as opposed to person-focused) roles. This may be informative for developing and optimizing the strengths of individuals with differing levels of autistic traits.

scholarly journals Screening and diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in a male prison

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane McCarthy ◽  
Eddie Chaplin ◽  
Lisa Underwood ◽  
Andrew Forrester ◽  
Hannah Hayward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Diagnostic Assessment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Male Prisoners ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties (NDD) in a male prison. The study used standardised tools to carry out screening and diagnostic assessment of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Design/methodology/approach – The ADHD self-report scale, 20-item autism quotient and the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire were used to screen 240 male prisoners. Prisoners who screened positive on one or more of these scales or self-reported a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD or ID were further assessed using the diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults, adapted Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Quick Test. Findings – Of the 87 prisoners who screened positive for NDD and were further assessed, 70 met the study’s diagnostic criteria for ADHD, ASD or ID. Most of those with NDD (51 per cent) had previously gone unrecognised and a high proportion (51 per cent) were identified through staff- or self-referral to the study. Originality/value – The study demonstrated that improving awareness and providing access to skilled, standardised assessment within a male prison can result in increased recognition and identification of NDD.

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