The German GSQ has moderate to low validity, good to acceptable reliability, and a different internal structure from the original GSQ. For validation of the German GSQ, confirmatory factor analyses followed by exploratory factor analyses were applied. University students of Technische Universität or Universitätsklinikum in Dresden, Germany, were recruited via email distribution or the university homepage and 297 German-speaking students completed the online survey, comprising the German GSQ, Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Symptom-Checklist (SCL-90). Further, a replication of the GSQ’s sensory processing differences was intended. Because there is no validated German version of this instrument, this study aimed at validating the German GSQ. Evaluation of these ‘red flag’ guides will be conducted in primary care, social care and educational settings.The Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ) gives insight into sensory processing differences (hypo- and hyper-sensitivity across modalities), which is a clinically defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A limitation is that questionnaires were completed through online or postal testing. This study involved large samples and therefore results are likely to be robust. Further, the 10-item versions of the AQ perform as well as the longer (50-item) versions. Q-CHAT data analysis is ongoing.Ĭonclusions: This study demonstrates that short (10 item) versions of the AQ discriminate well between individuals with ASC and controls. Cut-points for referral for a multi-disciplinary assessment for ASC will be suggested for each tool. In the control groups, males scored significantly higher than females. Results: Adults, adolescents, and children with ASC scored significantly higher (p 0.96, representing excellent sensitivity and specificity. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were examined for the short versions. The ten most discriminating items from each questionnaire were chosen. The proportion of participants who scored ASC positive on each item was compared on each questionnaire across cases and controls. Administration was via online or postal questionnaire. Parent-report was required for those under age 16. Self-report was accepted for individuals over 16 years old. Methods: Over 3000 control individuals (or their parents), and over 1000 cases (or their parents) completed one of the four questionnaires according to age. Objectives: To produce short versions of the child, adolescent, and adult AQ and the Q-CHAT to aid professionals in primary health care, social care, and education settings in their decision making about whether to make a referral for a specialist assessment for ASC. Thus, there is a need to test if shorter (10 item) versions of these measures discriminate ASC from controls with high sensitivity, specificity, predictive validity, and reliability. They have been useful as phenotyping measures in research, but are too long (50 items) for quick use to identify ‘red flags’ in front line clinical or educational settings. These questionnaires all show highly significant group differences in scores between individuals with a diagnosis of ASC and controls. These are the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), adult, adolescent and child versions (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001, Baron-Cohen et al., 2006, Auyeung et al., 2009), and the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT, Allison et al., 2008). Our previous studies reported four parent- or self-report questionnaires aimed at quantifying autistic traits in toddlers, children, adolescents and adults. According to the National Audit Office report in the UK (2009), 80% of primary care professionals (GPs) believed that they required additional guidance to identify individuals with suspected undiagnosed ASC. Often, secondary psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression may have developed. Concerns may be raised by parents at 18 months, yet some individuals reach adulthood before their difficulties are recognized as warranting a clinical diagnosis. Background: Diagnosis of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) is often delayed, especially when impairments are less severe.
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