title: The Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA): a diagnostic method.
abstract: At the present time there are a large number of adults who have suspected Asperger syndrome (AS). In this paper we describe a new instrument, the Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA), developed in our clinic for adults with AS. The need for a new instrument relevant to the diagnosis of AS in adulthood arises because existing instruments are designed for use with children. Properties of the AAA include (1) being electronic, data-based, and computer-scorable; (2) linking with two screening instruments [the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ)]; and (3) employing a more stringent set of diagnostic criteria than DSM-IV, in order to avoid false positives. The AAA is described, and its use with a series of n = 42 clinic-patients is reported. Thirty-seven of these (88%) met DSM-IV criteria, but only 34 of these (80%) met AAA criteria. The AAA is therefore more conservative than DSM-IV.
authors.affiliation: Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baron-Cohen
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wheelwright
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woodbury-Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires