Brief report: the autism spectrum quotient has convergent validity with the social responsiveness scale in a high-functioning sample.
The free AQ matches the paid SRS in high-functioning youth, giving you a quick, valid screener.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Armstrong et al. (2013) tested if the free Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) lines up with the paid Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).
They gave both forms to 23 high-functioning youth with ASD. Parents filled out the SRS; kids did the AQ self-report.
What they found
The two scores correlated strongly (r = .79).
That means the quick, no-cost AQ gives the same snapshot of social traits as the longer, pricey SRS in this group.
How this fits with other research
van den Broek et al. (2006) showed that M-CHAT and SCQ miss many high-functioning kids. Kimberly’s work fills that gap by proving the AQ catches them.
Jones et al. (2007) found the SCQ works well in preschoolers, while Kimberly’s team shows the AQ works in school-age youth. Together they give you age-appropriate screeners across development.
Nah et al. (2018) used the same brief-report style to validate anxiety and depression tools in autistic adults, extending the AQ-SRS convergent-validation idea to mental-health screening.
Why it matters
You can now swap the 10-minute online AQ for the 20-minute SRS when you need a fast screener for bright kids with ASD. It saves money, reduces parent burden, and still gives reliable data for treatment planning or research intake.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is widely used to measure autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and screen for ASD. It is readily available free of charge online and is easily accessible to practitioners, researchers and individuals who suspect that they may have an ASD. Thus, the AQ is a potentially useful, widely accessible tool for ASD screening. The objective of this study was to examine the convergent validity of the AQ using a well-established, published screening measure of autism: the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Twenty-three high-functioning participants (aged 8-19) with ASD were administered both measures. Results indicated a significant correlation between the SRS and AQ ratings, providing evidence for convergent validity of the AQ with the SRS.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2013 · doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1769-z