What we know about autism screening

The autism spectrum is a group of brain disorders that results in communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, sensory issues, and problems with social interaction.

Approximately 1 in every 68 children born in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.  And an estimated 3 million people in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder.  The data show that this is a growing problem.  Statistics indicate rates of the disease have increased by up to 17 percent in recent years.

British researchers published a questionnaire in 2001 called the autism-spectrum quotient to help determine whether adults have symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder. But the test had never been studied in a systematic way to determine what the scores mean for individuals.

This month, those same researchers published a systematic review to estimate a mean score in individuals who are not diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition. The idea was to establish a reference that researchers could use in the future to measure and quantify autism.

For the review, they analyzed 73 studies which included a total of nearly 7,000 healthy participants and nearly 2,000 participants diagnosed with an autism disorder.  They found that the mean score on the questionnaire for healthy adults is 17, and the mean score for people with an autism disorder is 35. The difference is significant enough to make the questionnaire a useful tool for screening adults.

This review is important because it gives clinicians and researchers alike a benchmark against which to measure the general population, opening the door to even more research about the causes of and treatments for autism.

While taking the test does not offer a definitive diagnosis, it is a first step in screening adults for autism disorders. If you’re interested to see how you score, Wired magazine offers an online version that you can take on your own. Remember to consult a medical professional if you suspect you have a disorder than requires treatment.