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. 2012 Nov;42(11):2354-63.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1483-2.

Self-reported autism symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorders

Somer L Bishop  1 , Marsha Mailick Seltzer
Affiliations

Self-reported autism symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorders

Somer L Bishop et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Nov.

Abstract

Scores on the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) were examined in 65 adults with ASD. Maternal reports of symptoms were collected simultaneously using the autism diagnostic interview-revised (ADI-R) and the Vineland Screener. A slightly revised AQ administration procedure was used to accommodate adults with below average IQ. AQ scores were lower than in the original validation study, with only 11 adults (17%) scoring above the proposed diagnostic cut-off and 24 (27%) exceeding the screening cut-off. Adults with higher IQs endorsed more symptoms than those with below average intelligence, but even when analyses were restricted to the 39 adults with at least average IQ, only 44% met the screening cut-off. AQ scores were not significantly correlated with ADI-R or Vineland scores.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
AQ subscale scores. a Lower than Attention Switching: t(64) = −4.94, p < .001; Lower than Attention to Detail: t(64) = −4.93, p < .001. b Lower than Attention Switching: t(64) = −6.22, p < .001; Lower than Attention to Detail: t(64) = −6.35, p < .001. c Higher than Imagination: t(64) = 7.76, p < .001. d Higher than Imagination: t(64) = 9.08, p < .001
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Correlation between AQ scores and Full-scale IQ
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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