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Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient
 Simon Baron-Cohen, Sally Wheelwright, Akio Wakabayashi, Rosa Hoekstra, Nigel Goldenfeld, Bhismadev Chakrabarti, Mike Lombardo, Marc Woodbury-Smith, Rebecca Jones
The Adult AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) was developed by the ARC to test if adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome are just an extreme on a dimension of autistic traits that runs right through the general population. Our studies have shown that people with a clinical diagnosis tend to score above 32 out of 50 on the AQ, first-degree relatives tend to score higher than average on the AQ, males in the general population tend to score higher than females, and scientists tend to score higher than non-scientists on the AQ. We have also found the AQ shows heritability (from twin studies) and cross-cultural stability, and that it predicts clinical diagnosis. We are currently investigating if the Adult AQ can be used as a screening instrument to detect undiagnosed cases of autism or Asperger Syndrome. The aim is not to uncover cases who do not need a diagnosis, and it is recognized that at best the AQ is a screening instrument - it is not itself diagnostic. We are also testing if genetic polymorphisms (SNPs), patterns of brain activity and brain structure, and patterns of hormonal profile, are associated with AQ. Finally, we are testing if AQ is a predictor of performance on various cognitive tests, such as social-attentional cueing.
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References:
392
R. A. Hoekstra, M. Bartels, C. J. H. Verweij and D. I. Boomsma, (2007)
Heritability of Autistic Traits in the General Population
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 161:372-377
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380
R. Hoekstra, M. Bartels, J. Hudziak, T. Van Beijsterveldt and D. Boomsma, (2007)
Genetic and Environmental Covariation Between Autistic Traits and Behavioral Problems
Twin Research and Human Genetics 10(6):853-860
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322
N. Goldenfeld, S. Baron-Cohen and S. Wheelwright, (2006)
Empathizing and systemizing in males, females and autism
Clinical Neuropsychiatry 2(6)
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321
S. Wheelwright, S. Baron-Cohen, N. Goldenfeld, J. Delaney, D. Fine, R. Smith, L. Weil and A. Wakabayashi, (2006)
Predicting Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) from the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R) and Empathy Quotient (EQ)
Brain Research 1079:47-56
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320
S. Baron-Cohen, R. A. Hoekstra, R. Knickmeyer and S. Wheelwright, (2006)
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) - Adolescent Version
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 36:343-350
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312
M. Woodbury-Smith, J. Robinson and S. Baron-Cohen, (2005)
Screening adults for Asperger Syndrome using the AQ : diagnostic validity in clinical practice
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 35:331-335
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160
S. Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, R. Skinner, J. Martin and E. Clubley, (2001)
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) : Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 31:5-17
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