DO you, or your child, struggle to read others’ emotions, find it hard to express how you feel, or have an exceptionally good eye for detail?
These are all key questions from a quiz designed to help identify symptoms of autism, a lifelong developmental disability.
The quiz helps spot autistic behaviours (Source: NHS)
The assessment tool — used by NHS doctors — does not confirm whether you are on the spectrum.
Instead, it is used to screen people who think they might have the condition.
Medics who suspect patients to be autistic based on their answers to the quiz are typically referred for specialist assessments.
It comes new reports have revealed children in the UK are suffering waits of more than four years for diagnoses of autism.
The test contains ten statements about your outlook on life and asks you to determine how much you agree with each using a scoring system of points from one to 10.
Examples include: “I often notice small sounds when others do not”, I find it easy to do more than one thing at once”, and “I find it difficult to work out people’s intentions”.
If you score six or more, your GP might consider referring for further tests.
This does not mean you definitely have autism, however.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which links to the tool in its autism advice page, says the tool — called AQ-10 — is a “good place to start” if you are looking for a test to see if you may be autistic.
The trust says the test gives a “general indication of whether someone might have autism”.
It says: “If you suspect that you may be autistic, you can then make an appointment to see a GP.
“Offer them the results from the AQ-10, if you have done it, (if you have not done the AQ-10 then the GP should go through the questions with you), and ask them to refer you to a diagnostic pathway.”
There is a similar but separate quiz for children, which parents do on their behalf.
What is autism?
It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have an autism diagnosis.
However, there are many adults who are still unaware that they are on the spectrum.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a range of similar conditions, including Asperger syndrome, that affect a person’s social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour.
People on the autism spectrum may, for example, be under or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, or colours.
They may experience intense anxiety around unexpected change and in social situations.
However, no two people with ASD have the exact same set of symptoms.
While the conditions are most often diagnosed in toddlers, it’s possible for adults on the spectrum to go undiagnosed.
‘Awareness of autism has significantly increased’
However, new figures suggest children are still experiencing severely long waits for diagnoses.
One child waited 1,518 days – over four years – for their diagnosis at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, in Scotland.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of children with suspected autism in England have been waiting at least three months for an assessment to confirm their diagnosis, NHS data shows.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance states that no-one should wait longer than that length of time.
Experts are putting long waitlists down to increased public awareness of the condition.
Dr Conor Davidson, autism champion for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “Public awareness of autism has significantly increased in recent years, and this has led to a seismic rise in the number of people coming forward for support.
“It is estimated that at least one per cent of the population is autistic so it is likely demand will continue to grow in the coming years.”
He added that the “vast majority of people are facing unacceptable waits for an assessment, and we cannot allow this to become normal”.
If you’re interested in being evaluated for autism, begin with your family doctor, who will evaluate you to be certain that there isn’t an underlying physical illness accounting for your behaviours.
Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for in-depth assessment.
What are the signs and symptoms of autism in children?
The NHS outlines the signs of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in school-age children.
Spoken language
Preferring to avoid using spoken language
Speech that sounds very monotonous or flat
Speaking in pre-learned phrases rather than putting together individual words to form new sentences
Seeming to talk “at” people rather than sharing a two-way conversation
Responding to others
Taking people’s speech literally and being unable to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech
Reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
Not being aware of other people’s personal space, or being unusually intolerant of people entering their own personal space
Little interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age, or having few close friends, despite attempts to form friendships
Not understanding how people normally interact socially, such as greeting people or wishing them farewell
Being unable to adapt the tone and content of their speech to different social situations – for example, speaking very formally at a party and then speaking to total strangers in a familiar way
Not enjoying situations and activities that most children of their age enjoy
Rarely using gestures or facial expressions when communicating
Avoiding eye contact
Behaviour
Repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers
Playing in a repetitive and unimaginative way, often preferring to Play with objects rather than people
Developing a highly specific interest in a particular subject or activity
Preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to their normal routine
Having a strong like or dislike of certain foods based on the texture or colour of the food as much as the taste
Unusual sensory interests – for example, children with ASD may sniff toys, objects or people inappropriately