Autism screening questionnaire: diagnostic validity

Author(s): Rutter, M., Lord, C., Pickles, A., Bailey, A.

Journal/Book: Brit J Psychiat. 1999; 175: British Journal of Psychiatry 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8Pg, England. Royal College Of Psychiatrists. 444-451.

Abstract: Background Good interview and diagnostic measures for autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are available but there is a lack of a good screening questionnaire. Aims To develop and test a screening questionnaire based on items in the best available diagnostic interview - the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R). Method A 40-item scale, the Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ), was developed and tested on a sample of 160 individuals with PDD and 40 with non PDD diagnoses. Results The ASQ has good discriminative validity with respect to the separation of PDD from non-PDD diagnoses at all IQ levels, with a cut-off of 15 proving most effective. The differentiation between autism and other varieties of PDD was weaker: Conclusions The ASQ is an effective screening questionnaire for PDD. Declaration of interest The study was supported by the Medical Research Council.

Note: Article Rutter M, Inst Psychiat, Social Genet & Dev Psychiat Res Ctr, De Crespigny Pk, London SE5 8AF, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): OBSERVATION SCHEDULE; BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST; INDIVIDUALS; INTERVIEW

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