Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)

The Social Communication Questionnaire (see Berument, Rutter, Lord, Pickles, & Bailey, 1999 in the British Journal of Psychiatry) is a newly developed screening instrument, which was previously known as the Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ). It was developed in response to the need for a reliable and valid screening instrument that is based on the current diagnostic criteria for autism and which can be used with all age groups. It is a 40-item questionnaire based on the original Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) algorithm used for ICD-10 and DSM-IV diagnosis of autism.

Please be aware that it has been tested primarily with older children (four years and above; mostly over the age of six) and with parents who had already received a full ADI-R, so that results with a younger population or with parents less familiar with these kinds of questions may be less clear. It is not intended as a diagnostic tool or as a clinical screener (at least pending further information). We are encouraged about its possible use as a research screener; however, we await further studies about it. Individuals interested in learning more about the measure should contact Western Psychological Services.

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