Background Recent reports estimate the prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions in UK to be 1%. Aims To use different methods conditions, including previously undiagnosed cases, Cambridgeshire. Method We carried out a survey using Special Educational Needs (SEN) register. A diagnosis was distributed participating schools handed parents all children aged 5–9 years. The mainstream primary school population screened for unknown cases. Results estimates generated from SEN register and were 94...

Camouflaging of autistic characteristics in social situations is hypothesised as a common coping strategy for adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). may impact diagnosis, quality life, and long-term outcomes, but little known about it. This qualitative study examined camouflaging experiences 92 ASC, questions focusing on the nature, motivations, consequences camouflaging. Thematic analysis was used to identify key elements camouflaging, which informed development three-stage model...

Abstract It is unclear whether transgender and gender-diverse individuals have elevated rates of autism diagnosis or traits related to compared cisgender in large non-clinic-based cohorts. To investigate this, we use five independently recruited cross-sectional datasets consisting 641,860 who completed information on gender, neurodevelopmental psychiatric diagnoses including autism, measures (self-report autistic traits, empathy, systemizing, sensory sensitivity). Compared individuals, have,...

Asperger's syndrome in adulthood is frequently associated with depression, but few studies have explored the lifetime experience of self-reported suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts this clinical group. We aimed to assess prevalence a cohort patients UK.

There currently exist no self-report measures of social camouflaging behaviours (strategies used to compensate for or mask autistic characteristics during interactions). The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) was developed from adults’ experiences camouflaging, and administered online 354 478 non-autistic adults. Exploratory factor analysis suggested three factors, comprising 25 items in total. Good model fit demonstrated through confirmatory analysis, with measurement...

Genetic studies of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have mostly focused on the "low functioning" severe clinical subgroup, treating it as a rare disorder. However, ASC is now thought to be relatively common ( approximately 1%), and representing one end quasi-normal distribution autistic traits in general population. Here we report study genetic variation candidate genes associated with Asperger syndrome (AS). We tested single nucleotide polymorphisms 68 three functional groups (sex steroid...

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-report questionnaire for quantifying autistic traits. This study tests whether the AQ can differentiate between parents of children with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) and control parents. In this paper, use to define broader, medium narrow phenotypes (BAP, MAP, NAP) reported, proportion each phenotype compared two groups. A sample 571 fathers 1429 mothers ASC completed AQ, along 349 658 developing typically children. Both diagnosed scored...

The Empathizing-Systemizing (E-S) theory of typical sex differences suggests that individuals may be classified based on empathy and systemizing. An extension the E-S theory, Extreme Male Brain (EMB) autistic people average have a shift towards more masculinized brain along dimensions. Both theories been investigated in small sample sizes, limiting their generalizability. Here we leverage two large datasets (discovery n = 671,606, including 36,648 primarily; validation 14,354, 226...

Social camouflaging describes the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic characteristics during social interactions. A newly developed self-reported measure (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire) was used in an online survey gender differences ( n = 306) non-autistic adults 472) without intellectual disability first time. Controlling age autistic-like traits, interaction between diagnostic status found: females demonstrated higher total scores than males (partial η 2...

The “Reading the Mind in Eyes” test (Eyes test) is an advanced of theory mind. Typical sex difference has been reported (i.e., female advantage). Individuals with autism show more difficulty than do typically developing individuals, yet it remains unclear how this modulated by sex, as females have under-represented. Here a large, non-male-biased sample we for effects diagnosis, and their interaction. Eyes (revised version) was administered online to 395 adults (178 males, 217 females) 320...

There is inconsistent evidence for a clear pattern of association between 'camouflaging' (strategies used to mask and/or compensate autism characteristics during social interactions) and mental health.This study explored the relationship self-reported camouflaging generalised anxiety, depression, anxiety in large sample autistic adults and, first time, moderating effect gender, an online survey.Overall, was associated with greater symptoms although only small extent beyond contribution...

Autism prevalence in the West is approximately 1% of school age children. China has been reported to be lower than West. This likely due at least two reasons: (1) most studies only included special population, overlooking mainstream population; and (2) have not used contemporary screening diagnostic methods. To address this, we tested total autism (mainstream schools) Jilin City, Jiamusi Shenzhen cities. The study a three-step process: screening; clinical assessment 'screen positives' plus...

Abstract Co‐morbid mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are extremely common in autistic adults. Vulnerability to negative life experiences victimisation unemployment may be partially responsible for the development of these conditions. Here we measure frequency adults explore how associated with current symptoms satisfaction. We developed Experiences Quotient (VEQ) through stakeholder consultation. The VEQ includes 60 items across 10 domains. Autistic a clinical diagnosis...

The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been reported to be between 1% and 2% the population, with little research in Black, Asian, other racial/ethnic minority groups. Accurate estimates ASD are vital planning diagnostic, educational, health, social care services may detect possible access barriers diagnostic pathways inequalities based on determinants health.To evaluate whether socioeconomic disadvantage is associated likelihood accessing disadvantaged groups...

The male bias in autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has led to females with ASC being under-researched. This lack of attention could hide variability due sex that may explain some the heterogeneity within ASC. In this study we investigate four key cognitive domains (mentalizing and emotion perception, executive function, perceptual detail, motor function) ASC, test for similarities differences between males without (n = 128 adults; n 32 per group). mentalizing facial perception domain, showed...

Empathy is the lens through which we view others' emotion expressions, and respond to them. In this study, empathy facial recognition were investigated in adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC; N=314), parents of a child ASC (N=297) IQ-matched controls (N=184). Participants completed self-report measure (the Quotient [EQ]) modified version Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces Task (KDEF) using an online test interface. Results showed that mean scores on EQ significantly lower fathers...

The Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST) is a parental questionnaire to screen for autism spectrum conditions. In this validation study, the CAST was distributed 1925 children aged 5-11 in mainstream Cambridgeshire schools. A sample of participants received full diagnostic assessment, conducted blind status. sensitivity CAST, at designated cut-point 15, 100 percent, specificity 97 percent and positive predictive value 50 using group's consensus diagnosis as gold standard. accuracy indices...

Sex differences have been reported in autistic traits and systemizing (male advantage), empathizing (female advantage) among typically developing individuals. In individuals with autism, these cognitive-behavioural profiles correspond to predictions from the "extreme male brain" (EMB) theory of autism (extreme scores on systemizing, below average empathizing). within however, under-investigated. Here we show 811 adults (454 females) 3,906 age-matched typical control (2,562 who completed...