The autism-spectrum quotient - Italian version: A cross- cultural confirmation of the broader autism phenotype

Liliana Ruta; Domenico Mazzone; Luigi Mazzone; Sally Wheelwright; Simon Baron-Cohen

doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1290-1

The autism-spectrum quotient - Italian version: A cross- cultural confirmation of the broader autism phenotype

Liliana Ruta, Domenico Mazzone, Luigi Mazzone, Sally Wheelwright, Simon Baron-Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) has been used to define the 'broader' (BAP), 'medium' (MAP) and 'narrow' autism phenotypes (NAP). We used a new Italian version of the AQ to test if difference on AQ scores and the distribution of BAP, MAP and NAP in autism parents (n = 245) versus control parents (n = 300) were replicated in a Sicilian sample. Parents of children with autism spectrum conditions scored higher than the control parents on total AQ, social skills and communication subscales, and exhibited higher rates of BAP, MAP and NAP. We conclude that the Italian AQ is a cross-culturally reliable measure of these different phenotypes, and can be used to identify a phenotypic gradient of severity of autistic traits in families. To understand the molecular basis of these phenotypes will require its use in genetic association studies.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	625-633
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume	42
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1290-1
Publication status	Published - Apr 2012

Keywords

Autism spectrum conditions
Autism-spectrum quotient
Autistic traits
Broader autism phenotype

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Developmental and Educational Psychology

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10.1007/s10803-011-1290-1

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abstract = "The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) has been used to define the 'broader' (BAP), 'medium' (MAP) and 'narrow' autism phenotypes (NAP). We used a new Italian version of the AQ to test if difference on AQ scores and the distribution of BAP, MAP and NAP in autism parents (n = 245) versus control parents (n = 300) were replicated in a Sicilian sample. Parents of children with autism spectrum conditions scored higher than the control parents on total AQ, social skills and communication subscales, and exhibited higher rates of BAP, MAP and NAP. We conclude that the Italian AQ is a cross-culturally reliable measure of these different phenotypes, and can be used to identify a phenotypic gradient of severity of autistic traits in families. To understand the molecular basis of these phenotypes will require its use in genetic association studies.",

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