The adult Asperger assessment (AAA): a diagnostic method

S Baron-Cohen, S Wheelwright, J Robinson…�- Journal of autism and�…, 2005 - Springer
S Baron-Cohen, S Wheelwright, J Robinson, M Woodbury-Smith
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2005Springer
At the present time there are a large number of adults who have suspected Asperger
syndrome (AS). In this paper we describe a new instrument, the Adult Asperger Assessment
(AAA), developed in our clinic for adults with AS. The need for a new instrument relevant to
the diagnosis of AS in adulthood arises because existing instruments are designed for use
with children. Properties of the AAA include (1) being electronic, data-based, and computer-
scorable;(2) linking with two screening instruments [the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and�…
At the present time there are a large number of adults who have suspected Asperger syndrome (AS). In this paper we describe a new instrument, the Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA), developed in our clinic for adults with AS. The need for a new instrument relevant to the diagnosis of AS in adulthood arises because existing instruments are designed for use with children. Properties of the AAA include (1) being electronic, data-based, and computer-scorable; (2) linking with two screening instruments [the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ)]; and (3) employing a more stringent set of diagnostic criteria than DSM-IV, in order to avoid false positives. The AAA is described, and its use with a series of n�=�42 clinic-patients is reported. Thirty-seven of these (88%) met DSM-IV criteria, but only 34 of these (80%) met AAA criteria. The AAA is therefore more conservative than DSM-IV.
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