Effective Screening Tools for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study from Salamanca, Spain

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Instituto de Investigacion have developed a screening tool to detect Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) in children aged 4-11 years. According to the study, the Spanish version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient, Children's version (AQ-Child-SV) is a 50-item parent-report questionnaire that assesses autistic traits. The study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the AQ-Child to Spanish as part of a school-based screening program in Salamanca, Castile and Leon, Spain. The results showed a significant difference in AQ-Child-SV scores between children who received an ASD diagnosis and those with no suspicion of ASD in the general population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study developed the Spanish version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient, Children's version (AQ-Child-SV) for screening ASD and BAP in children aged 4-11 years.
  • The AQ-Child-SV is a 50-item parent-report questionnaire that assesses autistic traits and is available in Spanish.
  • The study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the AQ-Child to Spanish as part of a school-based screening program in Salamanca, Castile and Leon, Spain.
  • The AQ-Child-SV showed a significant difference in scores between children who received an ASD diagnosis and those with no suspicion of ASD in the general population.
  • The study found that the AQ-Child-SV has a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity of 0.96 for detecting ASD.
  • The positive and negative predictive values of the AQ-Child-SV were 0.55 and 0.99, respectively.
  • The study concluded that the Spanish version of the AQ-Child could be a reliable instrument for screening ASD and BAP in school-age children.
  • The study involved a school population sample of 602 children who were recruited through the Qualtrics platform of the University of Salamanca.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Statistics:

  • 45 children scored at or above the established cut-off point of 76 points on the AQ-Child-SV.
  • 18 children scored between 70 and 75 points on the AQ-Child-SV.
  • The AQ-Child-SV was translated, pilot-tested, and administered online to a school population sample of 602 children.
  • The study involved a recruitment of 602 children through the Qualtrics platform of the University of Salamanca.

Sources:

  • Spanish Validation of the Autism Spectrum Quotient for Children (AQ-Child-SV). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Instituto de Investigacion Target Autism Spectrum Disorders [Spanish Validation of the Autism Spectrum Quotient for Children (AQ-Child-SV)]. Pediatrics Week. October 25, 2025; p 887.