childhood autism spectrum test scoring key

įollowing extensive research reporting that atypical sensory processing is a specific, universal and unique symptom of ASC, atypical sensory processing is now included within the latest diagnostic criterion of ASC. Relatives of individuals with ASC are consistently reported to exhibit the BAP, arguably due to a shared genetic vulnerability with the ASC phenotype. The broader autism phenotype (BAP) is a term describing subclinical-level traits that are qualitatively similar to characteristics of ASC, such as communication difficulties and rigidity of behaviours, but are observed in the general population. The term ‘Autism Spectrum Condition’ is favoured over ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’, following proposals that ASC is less stigmatising and captures both the disabilities and the strengths associated with the diagnosis. The results offer support for the enhanced perceptual functioning model using large samples of females, who are an understudied population, and demonstrate the validity of the SPQ-RS as a valuable new research tool for exploring self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.Īutism spectrum conditions (ASC) are neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by life-long difficulties in social communication and interaction, difficulties adjusting to unexpected change, alongside unusually narrow restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours or interests, and sensory hypersensitivity. The present findings revealed greater sensory hypersensitivity, but not hyposensitivity, in females with ASC compared to BAP and control female groups, and that a greater degree of autism traits relates to higher hypersensitivity in ASC females.

SPQ-RS hypersensitivity scores positively correlated with autistic traits in the female ASC ( r =. 075), suggesting atypical sensory sensitivity is not a BAP trait within females. The BAP mothers group did not differ from the control mothers group in either reported hypersensitivity ( p =. The female ASC group reported significantly more hypersensitivity, but not more hyposensitivity, compared to the control female and BAP mothers groups. All participants completed the SPQ as a self-report measure of sensory processing and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as a measure of the degree of autism traits. The present study developed and validated a Revised Scoring of the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ-RS) in order to investigate self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity in three groups of adults: a female ASC group ( n = 152), mothers of children with ASC (BAP mothers group n = 103), and a control mothers group ( n = 74). The present study aimed to fill these gaps. Furthermore, no research to date has focused on sensory differences in females, and whether differences in sensory sensitivity extend to the broader autism phenotype (BAP). However, current scoring of the SPQ does not differentiate between hyper and hyposensitivity, making it uncertain whether individuals with ASC might also show differences in hyposensitivity. Previous research using the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ) has reported greater sensory hypersensitivity in people with autism spectrum condition (ASC) compared to controls, consistent with other research.

Childhood autism spectrum test scoring key