Top 10 tests to detect autism

A selection of tests to detect autistic traits, especially during childhood.

When we think of some kind of child development disorder, probably the first names to come to mind are adhd and autism. The latter condition is particularly difficult for many people to understand and can generate a high level of suffering for the child who suffers from it, as he or she does not feel understood, and for his or her close environment, as they fear not being able to get close to their little one.

Having autism also implies a series of difficulties that will have to be faced and that must be dealt with throughout the process of development and life of the subject. But in order to be able to help this sector of the population, it is first of all necessary to be able to determine whether or not one suffers from this disorder. In this sense we need a series of tests to detect autism.. In this article we are going to mention some of the most commonly applied ones.

Autism: what is it?

Before going into some of the main existing tests and tests to detect autism, it would be useful to delve a little deeper into the notion that we have regarding this disorder.

We call autism, now autism spectrum disorder, a type of neurodevelopmental disorder (i.e. that originates during the stage of growth and neuronal development) characterized by the presence of problems and severe difficulties in language, socialization and behavior. This disorder can usually be detected before the age of three can be detected before the age of three, appearing at very early stages.It appears in very early stages of life.

Each of the three aspects mentioned above presents particularities that make it difficult for the child to adapt to the environment. a difficulty for the adaptation of the child to the environment.

At a socio-relational level we observe the presence of a lack of interaction and an apparent disinterest in bonding with others, being closed in on themselves. People with this disorder have severe difficulties in possessing a theory of mind that allows them to see that others are entities with a mind independent and separate from their own. There is a difficulty in initiating and responding to social interactions, with little socioemotional reciprocity.

With regard to communicative problems there is a marked literalism (they do not usually understand figurative language), as well as a high difficulty or impossibility to understand and use non-verbal language. Delays in language acquisition are not uncommon, and problems in the practical and contextually appropriate use of language are notorious. In some cases, the subject may not develop language at all. They also often have problems with turn-taking and responding to interactions.

Finally, they also present behavioral alterations. The presence of restricted interests and a high need for routines stand out, with the presence of changes being something tremendous.The presence of changes is extremely stressful for them, as they need them to have a sense of security. It is not uncommon for them to show repeated expressions, movements or use of objects, often as a way to reassure themselves. It has also been observed that hyper- or hyposensitivity to stimulation is frequent, overreacting or not reacting at all to noises and lights.

These are some of the main characteristics and criteria of people with autism. It should also be taken into account that, although it is generally diagnosed in children, it is a chronic disorder that will persist into adulthood and requires appropriate therapeutic management. requires an appropriate therapeutic management in order to reduce the possible affectation in the different areas of life and to increase the level of autonomy and well-being of these people.

The main screening tests for autism

A basic aspect to be able to intervene in this disorder is the fact of detecting it. In this sense, numerous tests have been developed over the years in order to detect the presence of an autism spectrum disorder and the aspects that appear altered in each case. These tests can be given to different agents, either to the child himself or more usually to parents and teachers.

Below we will see some of the best known tests that are usually used in the detection of autism, recommended by well-known publishers such as TEA Ediciones or different organizations specialized in Autism.

It is important to keep in mind that the ones we are going to mention are not all the existing ones, but only some of the most representative ones. It should also be noted that, both in this and in other disorders, the results of a test are not determinant or a sufficient condition for the diagnosis, and other information should also be assessed, such as those obtained in an interview, with the observation of the person or with the reports of other persons..

1. Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS)

One of the reference and best known tests in the diagnosis of autism, it is a scale developed for the purpose of assessing communication skills, social interaction and play and use of materials and offers cut-off points. It consists of four modules of which only the one that is appropriate to the subject in question by age range and communicative level is applied.. It requires a minimum mental age of two years and allows the child to be evaluated on the basis of his or her performance. Currently, more advanced editions can be found, such as ADOS 2. It can evaluate children and adults.

2. Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)

The ADI and its revision (ADI-R) are clinical interviews designed to make an exhaustive evaluation of a possible case of autism. It consists of about 93 questions (in the ADI-R version) which explore language, reciprocal social interaction and restricted behaviors/interests. It focuses on the typical behaviors of the subject with autism that rarely appear in people without autism. The score can be coded and subsequently interpreted with algorithms, and does not have comparative scales.

3. Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS)

An instrument that assesses adaptive behavior from birth to 89 years of age. from birth to 89 years of age. It evaluates the areas of communication, use of community resources, functional academic skills, home life, school life, health and safety, leisure, self-care, self-direction, social, motor and employment.

The second version (ABAS-II) also includes the global conceptual, social and practical indices. Although it is not only for autism, it allows the evaluation of the main areas affected by this disorder. It is the parents, teachers or relatives who generally give answers and complete the test, although the subject can also answer the test himself.

4. Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

This is a Baron-Cohen questionnaire of 50 questions that is designed to be answered by the subject himself, and is based on evaluating the degree of agreement (between total agreement and total disagreement, with a total of four possible answers) with each of the different questions. In this sense, we can find specific versions for different profiles, such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient for Children (AQC), Autism Spectrum Quotient for Adolescents (AQA) and Abbreviated Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQS).

They can also be filled out by relatives or teachers. It offers cut-off points that allow to separate the former Kanner-type Autism from Asperger's syndromeand makes it possible to distinguish different phenotypes.

5. Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)

This questionnaire of quick application must be answered by the caregivers of the subject, consisting of a total of 40 items among which interaction problems, communication problems and restricted and stereotyped behaviors are evaluated. It has an A form that evaluates the whole life of the subject and a B form to assess the situation of the last three months. Depending on the results, it may be advisable to use a more complete test such as the ADOS or the ADI.

6. Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)

This questionnaire is designed for children between seven and sixteen years of age, consisting of a total of 27 questions to be answered with Yes/No/Somewhat/Sometimes. It is more of a screening, and tends to focus more on the former Asperger's (now part of autism spectrum disorder). To be completed by parents and teachers and allows the identification of different predominant traits in children with social interaction and behavioral problems. Currently, there is a revised and more complete extended version (ASSQ-REV).

7. Modified Childhood Autism Questionnaire (M-CHAT)

Screening test to be answered by the child's parents. If it fails in more than three items, a more detailed exploration should be carried out to assess the presence of ASD. to assess the presence of ASD. Designed to evaluate children around two years of age, based on Yes or No questions.

8. Autism Spectrum Inventory (IDEA)

Inventory generated with the purpose of evaluating a dozen characteristics of people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. More than detection, it focuses on the evaluation of the severity of the patient's condition. It allows to identify the severity of autistic traitsThe results can be used to generate treatment guidelines and to test the changes that such treatments generate.

Also, depending on the score, the subject can be classified into four different types of autism (classical and Asperger's autism, as well as regressive autism and high-functioning autism). It should be completed by the professional based on information from observation and interview of the environment.

9. Infant and Toddler Questionnaire (CSBS DP)

This is a scale that assesses the presence of different predictors of language and social communication. It is designed to be completed between six months and two years of age. It should be completed by a parent, caregiver or person in frequent contact with the child.

10. Children's Asperger's Syndrome Test (CAST)

A 37-question questionnaire that allows early detection of characteristics of children with Asperger's syndrome. characteristics of children with Asperger's syndrome. It is passed by parents of children between four and eleven years of age.