A 2020 study on autism in women slipped beneath the radar. The study explored using a modified version of the Girls Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Condition (GQ-ASC) as a screening tool to identify autism in adult women. The researchers recruited 350 autistic women and 322 non-autistic women aged 18-72 online. The women completed the modified GQ-ASC and the Autism Quotient questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the GQ-ASC results revealed 5 main components: (1) Imagination and play in childhood; (2) Camouflaging autistic traits; (3) Sensory sensitivities; (4) Socializing difficulties; (5) Interests in childhood. There were significant differences between autistic and non-autistic women's scores on all 5 components. The modified GQ-ASC was very accurate at discriminating between autistic and non-autistic women. The researchers suggest the GQ-ASC could be a useful screening tool to identify women who should be formally assessed for autism. It could also help undiagnosed autistic women self-identify. The study provides insight into the experiences of autistic women, who are an underdiagnosed and understudied group.
"[researchers] recruited 672 cisgender and trans women aged between 18 and 72 online. The sample contained 350 autistic women (M age = 36.21, standard deviation [SD] = 10.10) and 322 nonautistic women (M age = 34.83, SD = 9.93), screened using the Autism Quotient.”
What did the researchers do to modify the questionnaire? They changed the wording of an autism screener that was designed for younger girls. They looked at answers in a way that told them which questions were most useful for telling autistic women and non-autistic women apart.
Hmmm…
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I score high; I haven’t felt comfortable sharing that publicly. I guess that’s masking?