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Cited by 506Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchPsychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

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

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Hoekstra, Rosa A., Vinkhuyzen, Anna A. E., Wheelwright, Sally, Bartels, Meike, Boomsma, Dorret I., Baron-Cohen, Simon, Posthuma, Danielle, van der Sluis, Sophie·2011·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1073-0PMC PMC3076581
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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.

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  • The clinical diagnosis of ASD will be verified using a cut-off ≥70 on the 28-item Short version of the AQ-28.

    “To verify the clinical diagnosis of ASD, we will use a cut-off ≥70 on the 28-item Short version of the AQ-28 [43, 44].”

    From The effect of dialectical behaviour therapy in autism spectrum patients with suicidality and/or self-destructive behaviour (DIASS): Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Results report that the 28-item AQ-Short cut-off of ≥70 distinguished participants with Asperger syndrome from controls, with sensitivity of .94 and specificity of .91. But the Discussion explicitly says the AQ-Short is not a diagnostic instrument and that clinical diagnosis requires established assessments and interviews. The cut-off therefore does not support using it to verify a clinical ASD diagnosis. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • A clinical cutoff score of >65 on the AQ-Short has sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.82 for ASD.

    “A clinical cutoff score of > 65 has sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.82 for ASD (Hoekstra et al., 2011).”

    From A mixed methods study of autistic adults' mental health therapy experiences (2023) · cites this paper as Hoekstra et al., 2011

    The Results (Factor Structure Replication and Validation AQ-Short) report sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.82 at a score >65, but the analysis distinguished participants with Asperger syndrome from controls, not ASD broadly. The Discussion says a >65 cutoff may be useful for clinical screening, while noting that other autism spectrum diagnoses were not studied and the AQ-Short is not a diagnostic instrument. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The AQ-28 has a cut-off score of 65 with good sensitivity (0.97) and specificity (0.82), and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77-0.86).

    “The AQ-28 is scored between 28 and 72, and a cut-off score of 65 is the threshold, above which further assistance with seeking ASD diagnosis is recommended. The cut-off score has good sensitivity (0.97) and specificity (0.82). The AQ-28 also has good internal consistence (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77–0.86).”

    From Differences in anxieties and social networks in a group-matched sample of autistic and typically developing students transitioning to university (2020) · cites this paper as Hoekstra et al., 2011

    The Results report sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.82 for a score >65, and Cronbach’s alpha of 0.77–0.86 for the total AQ-Short. The Discussion suggests >65 may be useful for clinical screening, but does not recommend it as a threshold for seeking a diagnosis. The stated scoring range of 28–72 is also inconsistent with the Methods’ four-point scoring of 28 items. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Autism characteristics were assessed using the AQ-Short, an abridged 28-item version of the original 50-item AQ, a continuous self-report measure of autism spectrum traits in adults.

    “Autism characteristics were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient-Short (AQ-Short) (Hoekstra et al., 2011), which is an abridged 28-item version of the original 50-item AQ (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001), a continuous self-report measure of autism spectrum traits in adults.”

    From A mixed methods study of autistic adults' mental health therapy experiences (2023) · cites this paper as Hoekstra et al., 2011

  • The mean AQ-28 score for typically developing students was 64.54, which is somewhat higher than previously reported control samples of 56-59.73.

    “For TD students, the mean AQ-28 score was 64.54, which is somewhat higher than the previously reported control samples of 56–59.73 (Hoekstra et al., 2011).”

    From Differences in anxieties and social networks in a group-matched sample of autistic and typically developing students transitioning to university (2020) · cites this paper as Hoekstra et al., 2011

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Authors
Hoekstra, R. A., Vinkhuyzen, A. A. E., Wheelwright, S., Bartels, M., Boomsma, D. I., Baron-Cohen, S., Posthuma, D., & van der Sluis, S.
Affiliations
  • The Open University (GB)
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Hoekstra, Rosa A.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-08-10
Volume
41
Issue
5
Pages
589-596
ISSN
  • 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3432
DOI
10.1007/s10803-010-1073-0
PMC
PMC3076581
OpenAlex
W2130501331
Cited by
506
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Open Research Online (The Open University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO/ SPI 56-464-14192, NWO 575-25-006, 56‐464‐14192, 451-08-025, VENI-451-08-025, Spi-56-464-14192, VIDI-016-065-318, 14192, 575-25-006)
  • Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Quotient, autistic traits, item reduction, self-report measures, factor structure, sensitivity and specificity, autism spectrum disorder
MeSH terms
Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Humans, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sensitivity and Specificity, Social Behavior, Reproducibility of Results, Young Adult, Self Report, Diagnostic Self Evaluation

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