SLPOtherJournal of autism and developmental disorders2022

Is it Possible to Assess the Two-Domain Definition of the Broad Autism Phenotype Using the Available Measurement Tools?

M Godoy-Giménez, A González-Rodríguez, F Cañadas and 2 others

PMID 34185239

WHAT IT FOUND

Three common autism-phenotype questionnaires did not fully capture the updated broad autism phenotype.

Across 349 students, their 13 subscales grouped into two broad patterns, but restricted/repetitive behaviour items were underrepresented, especially sensory and motor items.

Key findings

01The 13 subscales from the AQ, BAPQ and SRS-2 clustered into two components rather than three.

02The AQ, BAPQ and SRS-2 were judged insufficient for assessing the updated BAP operationalization when used alone.

03Restricted/repetitive behaviour items were underrepresented, especially stereotyped or repetitive motor movements and sensory reactivity.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs

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What it does not show

The 349 participants were psychology undergraduates recruited incidentally and by snowballing, and none reported severe or genetic conditions or psychiatric history. Socioeconomic status and ethnicity were not recorded. The expert panel was selected for ASD-related expertise, not randomised. The study did not test clinical outcomes, diagnosis, or treatment response. Two restricted/repetitive subdomains remained underrepresented.

Declared interests

The study was funded by ministerio de ciencia, innovación y universidades and Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. No other conflicts of interest are reported.

The easy way to misread this

Do not conclude that these questionnaires can be used as complete standalone measures of the updated broad autism phenotype. The paper found they were insufficient alone, and restricted/repetitive behaviour subdomains were underrepresented.

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