Self-assessment test development for autism in adults

A new self-assessment test has been developed by UK researchers with the aim of making it easier to diagnose autism in adults.

The test measures the extent to which adults are affected by repetitive behaviours, including common habits and routines such as arranging objects in patterns, fiddling obsessively or insisting that aspects of a daily routine remain exactly the same.

A group of 311 adults with and without autism diagnoses were trialled using the test. While those without an autism diagnosis showed a high tendency for repetitive behaviours, the diagnosed patients consistently scored significantly higher on this measure.

Though the test cannot diagnose autism on its own – as repetitive behaviours are only one of many criteria – it is thought that it will help clinicians in the diagnostic process.

Professor Sue Leekam, Cardiff University's autism chair and director of the Wales Autism Research Centre, said: "What our research has done is develop a test where individuals can report on their own behaviours, for both research and clinical purposes, ensuring we get a fuller picture of the way that these behaviours affect people."

The next phase of the research will be to trial the test on people of all ages with autism, before it can be implemented in clinics across the UK.