The Construction and Validation of an Abridged Version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-Short)

R.A. Hoekstra, A.A.E. Vinkhuyzen, S. Wheelwright, M. Bartels, D.I. Boomsma, S. Baron-Cohen, D. Posthuma, S. van der Sluis

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Abstract

This study reports on the development and validation of an abridged version of the 50-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a self-report measure of autistic traits. We aimed to reduce the number of items whilst retaining high validity and a meaningful factor structure. The item reduction procedure was performed on data from 1,263 Dutch students and general population adults. The resulting 28-item AQ-Short was subsequently validated in 3 independent samples, both clinical and controls, from the Netherlands and the UK. The AQ-Short comprises two higher-order factors assessing 'social behavioral difficulties' and 'a fascination for numbers/patterns'. The clear factor structure of the AQ-Short and its high sensitivity and specificity make the AQ-Short a useful alternative to the full 50-item version. © 2010 The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)589-596
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume41
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Cohort Studies

  • Netherlands Twin Register (NTR)

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