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The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ)--adolescent Version

Overview
Journal J Autism Dev Disord
Publisher Springer
Date 2006 Mar 23
PMID 16552625
Citations 199
Authors
Simon Baron-Cohen
Rosa A Hoekstra
Rebecca Knickmeyer
Sally Wheelwright
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) quantifies autistic traits in adults. This paper adapted the AQ for children (age 9.8-15.4 years). Three groups of participants were assessed: Group 1: n=52 adolescents with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA); Group 2: n=79 adolescents with classic autism; and Group 3, n=50 controls. The adolescents with AS/HFA did not differ significantly from the adolescents with autism but both clinical groups scored higher than controls. Approximately 90% of the adolescents with AS/HFA and autism scored 30+, vs. none of the controls. Among the controls, boys scored higher than girls. The AQ can rapidly quantify where an adolescent is situated on the continuum from autism to normality.

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