Defining the Optimal Threshold Scores for Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) in Clinical and General Population

Background: The Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) is a recently developed instrument tailored to assess the broad range of full-threshold as well as sub-threshold manifestations related to the autism spectrum. Although it has proved to be a valuable instrument for quantitative assessment of autistic symptoms, the AdAS Spectrum still lacks validated diagnostic thresholds. Objective: The aim of this study was to define the best cut-off scores of the AdAS Spectrum for determining the presence of subthreshold autistic traits as well as a clinically significant autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Our sample was composed of 39 patients with full-blown ASD, 73 subjects with autistic traits, and 150 healthy controls. Subjects were evaluated by trained psychiatrists, who performed a clinical diagnosis according to DSM-5 and then assessed with the AdAS Spectrum and the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Results: Our results showed that the most discriminant cut-off scores were 70 for identifying subjects with full-blown ASD, and 43 for determining the presence of significant autistic traits. Conclusion: The threshold values proposed here showed satisfying levels of specificity and sensibility, as well as a good agreement with the diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria, confirming the validity of the AdAS Spectrum as a psychometric tool for measuring ASD-related conditions in the clinical and general population.

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The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI): development and validation of a new measure of autistic traits in the general population

Molecular Autism ◽

10.1186/s13229-021-00445-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael C. W. English ◽

Gilles E. Gignac ◽

Troy A. W. Visser ◽

Andrew J. O. Whitehouse ◽

James T. Enns ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

General Population ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

High Reliability ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Traits and characteristics qualitatively similar to those seen in diagnosed autism spectrum disorder can be found to varying degrees in the general population. To measure these traits and facilitate their use in autism research, several questionnaires have been developed that provide broad measures of autistic traits [e.g. Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ)]. However, since their development, our understanding of autism has grown considerably, and it is arguable that existing measures do not provide an ideal representation of the trait dimensions currently associated with autism. Our aim was to create a new measure of autistic traits that reflects our current understanding of autism, the Comprehensive Autism Trait Inventory (CATI). Methods In Study 1, 107 pilot items were administered to 1119 individuals in the general population and exploratory factor analysis of responses used to create the 42-item CATI comprising six subscales: Social Interactions, Communication, Social Camouflage, Repetitive Behaviours, Cognitive Rigidity, and Sensory Sensitivity. In Study 2, the CATI was administered to 1068 new individuals and confirmatory factor analysis used to verify the factor structure. The AQ and BAPQ were administered to validate the CATI, and additional autistic participants were recruited to compare the predictive ability of the measures. In Study 3, to validate the CATI subscales, the CATI was administered to 195 new individuals along with existing valid measures qualitatively similar to each CATI subscale. Results The CATI showed convergent validity at both the total-scale (r ≥ .79) and subscale level (r ≥ .68). The CATI also showed superior internal reliability for total-scale scores (α = .95) relative to the AQ (α = .90) and BAPQ (α = .94), consistently high reliability for subscales (α > .81), greater predictive ability for classifying autism (Youden’s Index = .62 vs .56–.59), and demonstrated measurement invariance for sex. Limitations Analyses of predictive ability for classifying autism depended upon self-reported diagnosis or identification of autism. The autistic sample was not large enough to test measurement invariance of autism diagnosis. Conclusions The CATI is a reliable and economical new measure that provides observations across a wide range of trait dimensions associated with autism, potentially precluding the need to administer multiple measures, and to our knowledge, the CATI is also the first broad measure of autistic traits to have dedicated subscales for social camouflage and sensory sensitivity.

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Autistic traits are associated with the functional connectivity of between—but not within—attention systems in the general population

10.21203/rs.3.rs-61510/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sayaka Yoshimura ◽

Kei Kobayashi ◽

Tsukasa Ueno ◽

Takashi Miyagi ◽

Naoya Oishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

General Population ◽

Executive Control ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Fmri Study ◽

Trait Level ◽

Attention Systems

Abstract Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit dysfunction in the three attention systems (i.e., alerting, orienting, and executive control) as well as atypical relationships among these systems. Additionally, other studies have reported that individuals with subclinical but high levels of autistic traits show similar attentional tendencies to those observed in ASD. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that autistic traits would affect the functions and relationships of the three attention systems in a general population. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in 119 healthy adults to investigate relationships between autistic traits and within- and between-system functional connectivity (FC) among the three attention systems. Twenty-six regions of interest that were defined as components of the three attention systems by a previous task-based fMRI study were examined in terms of within- and between-system FC. We assessed autistic traits using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient.Results: Correlational analyses revealed that autistic traits were significantly correlated with between-system FC, but not with within-system FC. Conclusions: Our results imply that a high autistic trait level, even when subclinical, is associated with the way the three attention systems interact.

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Autistic traits in Indian general population and patient group samples: distribution, factor structure, reliability and validity of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient

Advances in Autism ◽

10.1108/aia-08-2020-0049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Asmita Karmakar ◽

Manisha Bhattacharya ◽

Susmita Chatterjee ◽

Atanu Kumar Dogra

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Patient Group ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Group Differences ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Content Type ◽

Compulsive Disorder

Purpose The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a widely used tool to quantify autistic traits in the general population. This study aims to report the distribution, group differences and factor structure of autistic traits in Indian general population. The work also assesses the criterion validity of AQ across three patient group samples – autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder. Design/methodology/approach In this study, psychometric properties of the adapted AQ were assessed among 450 neurotypical university students matched for age. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to see if the adapted AQ fits the original factor structure. Test–retest, internal consistency reliability and criterion validity were found out. Group differences (gender and field of study) in AQ were also assessed. Findings Autistic traits were found to be continuously distributed in the population, and patterns of group differences were consistent with previous studies. The adapted AQ had five factors resembling the original factor structure with a good fit, and 38 items instead of the original 50 items. Acceptable reliability coefficients were demonstrated along with criterion validity across clinical groups. Originality/value This work is the first to present the pattern of distribution and factor structure of autistic traits among neurotypical adults from Eastern India, a culturally different population, as well as a reliable and valid tool to assess autistic traits in Bengali, a language with 300 million speakers. The findings add to the growing literature on AQ measurement and the concept of autism as a quantitative trait, examined outside of the western samples.

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Co-Occurrence of ASD and ADHD Traits in an Adult Population

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054717720720 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 1407-1415 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Maria Panagiotidi ◽

Paul G. Overton ◽

Tom Stafford

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Adult Population ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Population Based ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Common Etiology

Objective: ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be viewed as the extreme end of traits found in the general population. Clinical and genetic studies suggest that ADHD and ASD often co-occur and share genetic susceptibility. The aim of this study was to examine co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD traits in the general population. Method: In total, 334 participants were recruited from a population-based sample. Four questionnaires assessing current and retrospective ADHD and ASD traits were administered online: the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25), the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results: A significant correlation was found between ADHD and autistic traits. In particular, higher inattention and overall ADHD scores were associated with self-reported deficits in communication and social skills. Conclusion: Our findings are similar to results from studies on clinical populations, suggesting that ADHD and ASD might share common etiology.

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The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sensory Experiences and Autistic Traits in the General Population: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1088357616667589 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 182-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ashley E. Robertson ◽

David R. Simmons

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

General Population ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Sensory Reactivity ◽

Sensory Experiences ◽

Open Questions ◽

Inductive Research ◽

Trait Level

There have been few examples of inductive research in sensory reactivity, particularly in relation to autistic traits among the general population. This study used a mixed methods approach to explore the nature of sensory experiences among people with different levels of autistic traits. Participants completed the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire and the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the data. Responses to the open questions were analyzed as part of this study, and the closed questionnaire data have been reported elsewhere. Data were coded and responses quantitatively compared by group. In addition, data were qualitatively analyzed using a general inductive approach, which resulted in two themes: “problematic sensory experiences” and “calming sensory experiences.” Results show that coping mechanisms and certain aspects of the sensory experience vary according to autistic trait level, and provide insight into the nature of sensory reactivity across the general population.

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Autistic traits are associated with the functional connectivity of between—but not within—attention systems in the general population

10.21203/rs.3.rs-61510/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sayaka Yoshimura ◽

Kei Kobayashi ◽

Tsukasa Ueno ◽

Takashi Miyagi ◽

Naoya Oishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

General Population ◽

Executive Control ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Fmri Study ◽

Trait Level ◽

Attention Systems

Abstract Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit dysfunction in the three attention systems (i.e., alerting, orienting, and executive control) as well as atypical relationships among these systems. Additionally, other studies have reported that individuals with subclinical but high levels of autistic traits show similar attentional tendencies to those observed in ASD. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that autistic traits would affect the functions and relationships of the three attention systems in a general population. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in 119 healthy adults to investigate relationships between autistic traits and within- and between-system functional connectivity (FC) among the three attention systems. Twenty-six regions of interest that were defined as components of the three attention systems by a previous task-based fMRI study were examined in terms of within- and between-system FC. We assessed autistic traits using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient.Results: Correlational analyses revealed that autistic traits were significantly correlated with between-system FC, but not with within-system FC.Conclusions: Our results imply that a high autistic trait level, even when subclinical, is associated with the way the three attention systems interact.

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Individual Differences in Autism Traits, Personality, and Emotional Responsiveness to Music in the General Population

Musicae Scientiae ◽

10.1177/1029864920988160 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102986492098816

Author(s):

Shalini Sivathasan ◽

Gwenaëlle Philibert-Lignières ◽

Eve-Marie Quintin

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Broader Autism Phenotype ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Social Responsiveness ◽

Emotional Experiences ◽

Emotional Responsiveness ◽

The Relationship

Little is known about the relationship between the personality and the emotional experiences of people with broader autism phenotype (BAP) or autistic traits. Given that music is a powerful vehicle for conveying emotions and that several studies show that people with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically respond to music in similar ways, the present study examines the relationship between personality, autistic traits, and emotional experiences evoked by music. A total of 110 participants ( n = 74 females) aged 18 to 35 years ( M = 21.25, SD = 3.36) completed the NEO-Five Factor Inventory-3-S, Social Responsiveness Scale-2, Autism-Spectrum Quotient, and Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index self-report questionnaires. Path analyses revealed that the relationship between autistic traits and emotional responsiveness to music was fully mediated by extraversion, and to a lesser extent openness to experience. These results suggest that people in the general population who have fewer autistic traits and who tend to be extraverted and open to experience report greater emotional responsiveness to music than those who are less extraverted and less open to experience. These findings suggest that it is important to consider personality characteristics when considering the relationship between autistic traits and emotional experiences.

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Internal reliability, homogeneity, and factor structure of the ten-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) with two additional response categories

Experimental Results ◽

10.1017/exp.2020.70 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Alex Bertrams

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Short Form ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Factor Analyses ◽

Internal Reliability ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Attention To Detail

Abstract The ten-item short form of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) has been used to efficiently assess autistic traits in the general population; however, the psychometric properties of the AQ-10 in terms of its internal reliability and its unifactorial structure have recently been questioned. In the present study (N = 797), whether the internal reliability is increased when the AQ-10 is applied with six rather than the conventional four response categories has been investigated. Moreover, correlational and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the reason for potential inhomogeneity within the AQ-10. The results suggest that the internal reliability of the AQ-10 was slightly increased but is still unsatisfactory, likely due to the incompatibility of items from two subdimensions: attention to detail and imagination. With six of the AQ-10 items, crucial aspects of the autistic personality may be measured, but other important aspects would be neglected; thus, the measure requires further psychometric development.

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