The Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)-Revised Extended Version (ASSQ-REV): An instrument for better capturing the autism phenotype in girls? A preliminary study involving 191 clinical cases and community controls

We wanted to develop and validate an extension of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)-the ASSQ Revised Extended Version (ASSQ-REV) - for better capturing the female phenotype of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Clinic girls and Clinic boys, most of whom with ASD and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Community girls without a clinical diagnosis of any kind of neuropsychiatric disorder were compared on the results of the parent-rated ASSQ and on a new set of items (ASSQ-GIRL). The ASSQ-REV discriminated well between cases and non-cases. Certain single ASSQ-GIRL items were much more typical of girls than of boys with ASD. The most striking of these were avoids demands, very determined, careless with physical appearance and dress and interacts mostly with younger children. The issue of whether or not there is a gender-specific ASD for phenotype is discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.