Published in:
01-06-2009 | Original Article
The Social Communication Questionnaire in a sample of the general population of school-going children
Published in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Issue 2/2009
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Background
The social communication questionnaire (SCQ) for autistic spectrum disorder was previously validated in clinical populations.
Aims
To describe the distribution of SCQ-scores in the general child population, and identify if traits from all domains of autism are present.
Methods
The SCQ was completed by parents of children attending a mixed-gender primary school of 240 children.
Results
Total SCQ scores ranged from 1 to 20, with a mode 1 and corrected mean of 3.89, SD = 2.77. SCQ items corresponding to all three domains of autism were found in the sample. Some items on the SCQ were answered as “autism-positive” for up to 41.8% of children in the general population sample.
Conclusions
The SCQ has a wide range in the general population, with traits from all three domains of autism. Some items in the SCQ do not discriminate children with autism from other school-going children.