Evaluation of the French Version of Screening Questionnaires for Autism and Asperger Syndrome: AQ, EQ and SQ
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00505830 |
Recruitment Status
: Unknown
Verified July 2007 by Groupe Francais d'Epidemiologie Psychiatrique.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted
: July 25, 2007
Last Update Posted
: July 25, 2007
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Autism is considered as an invading disorder of the development. Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a particular form of autism and is difficult to diagnose. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) has been developed in order to measure the degree of autistic traits in autistic adolescent with normal intelligence (Baron-Cohen et al. 2001, 2006). AQ comprises 50 questions, with 5 groups of 10 questions assessing imagination, social skills, attention switching, attention to detail and communication skills. Each of these items scores 1 point if the respondent records abnormal or autistic like behaviour. The minimum score on the AQ is 0 and the maximum 50.
The principal objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the French version of Autism Spectrum Quotient questionnaire.
Secondary objectives are to:
Evaluate if EQ and SQ can distinguish adolescents without psychiatric syndromes from those with classical autism or AS.
Evaluate if AQ, EQ and SQ can distinguish adolescents with psychiatric disorders from autistic adolescents.
Define the threshold of positivity for the 3 questionnaires.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Asperger Syndrome Autism | Other: questionnaires |
4 groups of participants will be screened with the questionnaires: Group 1: 50 adolescents with AS or high functioning autism (HFS) diagnosed by psychiatrists using established criteria and with an IQ >85.
Group 2: 50 adolescents with AS or classical autism diagnosed by psychiatrists using established criteria 70<IQ<84.
Group 3: 50 adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Group 4: Sample of 50 healthy adolescents selected randomly from 200. The questionnaires are given to the parents of adolescents during the first meeting. Parents are invited to send them back to the clinical investigation centre of Lyon (France).
Multicentre study: 8 clinical centres and 18 paediatricians
Study Type : | Observational |
Estimated Enrollment : | 450 participants |
Observational Model: | Defined Population |
Primary Purpose: | Screening |
Time Perspective: | Longitudinal |
Time Perspective: | Prospective |
Official Title: | Evaluation of the French Version of Screening Questionnaires for Autism and Asperger Syndrome : Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Empathy Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ) |
Study Start Date : | July 2007 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | July 2009 |
Group/Cohort | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Case: 1
50 adolescents with AS or high functioning autism (HFS) diagnosed by psychiatrists using established criteria and with an IQ >85.
|
Other: questionnaires
Primary outcome: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Secondary outcome measure: Empathy quotient (EQ) Systemizing quotient (SQ) WISC III or WISC IV ADOS score ADI score |
Case: 2
50 adolescents with AS or classical autism diagnosed by psychiatrists using established criteria 70<IQ<84.
|
Other: questionnaires
Primary outcome: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Secondary outcome measure: Empathy quotient (EQ) Systemizing quotient (SQ) WISC III or WISC IV ADOS score ADI score |
Control: 3
50 adolescents with psychiatric disorders but no autism syndrom.
|
Other: questionnaires
Primary outcome: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Secondary outcome measure: Empathy quotient (EQ) Systemizing quotient (SQ) WISC III or WISC IV ADOS score ADI score |
Control: 4
Sample of 50 healthy adolescents selected randomly from 200.
|
Other: questionnaires
Primary outcome: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Secondary outcome measure: Empathy quotient (EQ) Systemizing quotient (SQ) WISC III or WISC IV ADOS score ADI score |

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 12 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
Group 1 (AS/HFA) and 2 (AS/classic autism) :
- Boys and girls aged 12 to 18
- Patients with autism or Asperger syndrome according to the diagnostic criteria (ICD 10)
- Patients receiving education in an ordinary school
- IQ>70
Group 3 (adolescents with psychiatric disorders):
- Boys and girls aged 12 to 18
- Patients hospitalized on a psychiatric ward or at a psychiatrics patient visit or psychiatric consultation wit hout autistic syndrome
- Patients receiving education in an ordinary school when not in hospital
Group 4 (adolescent without psychiatric syndrome):
- Boys and girls aged 12 to 18
- Patients receiving education in an ordinary school
Exclusion Criteria:
For all groups :
- Problem with language or comprehension
- Participants who have not given their consent

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00505830
Contact: Jean-Pierre Vignat, MDH | +33 4 37 90 11 75 | jpvignat@ch-st-jean-de-dieu-lyon.fr |
France | |
Centre Hospitalier Saint Jean de Dieu | Recruiting |
Lyon, France | |
Contact: Sabine Manificat, MDH +33 4 37 90 12 96 smanificat@arhm-sjd.fr | |
Contact: Berhouz Kassai, MD, PhD bk@upcl.univ-lyon1.fr |
Principal Investigator: | Sabine Manificat, MDH | Centre Hospitalier Saint Jean de Dieu |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00505830 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Autisme AQ |
First Posted: | July 25, 2007 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | July 25, 2007 |
Last Verified: | July 2007 |
Keywords provided by Groupe Francais d'Epidemiologie Psychiatrique:
Asperger Syndrom Autism Quotient French version |
screening diagnostic test accuracy |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Syndrome Autistic Disorder Asperger Syndrome Disease |
Pathologic Processes Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mental Disorders |