Screening measure for autism in adults

The sole purpose of this measure is to screen for the presence of indications of autism spectrum disorders. It is not a diagnostic tool and The National Autistic Society takes no responsibility for any misuse of this measure other than its intended purpose.

This measure was developed through the Greater Manchester Consortium to develop local services for people with autism.

It is intended for use in any setting or service for adults, including Learning Disability, Mental Health, Probation and Employment Services or Further and Higher Education.

Unique identifier of the person: (eg initials, date of birth and gender)

...................................................................................................

Please tick the appropriate boxes below to indicate the frequency of the behaviours you have observed, as follows:

Frequent [F] daily or several (three or more) times a week
Sometimes [S] once or twice a week
Never/Rarely [N] very infrequently or not at all

	Does the person ...	F	S	N
1.	Seek the company of other people?
2.	Try to share his/her own interests, enjoyment or achievements with others?
3.	Seem to understand the feelings of others?
4.	Have difficulty in following the usual rules of communication, eg not interrupting, taking turns?
5.	Repeat particular words or phrases?
6.	Repeat phrases said by others, either immediately or after a period of time?
7.	Speak in unusual ways, eg at a high or low volume, in a monotonous tone or with stress on unusual words?
8.	Use invented words or phrases that do not convey their ordinary meaning?
9.	Have stereotyped, simple body movements, eg flicking fingers, flapping hands, tapping, spinning, rocking or inspecting objects near eyes?
10.	Have an intense attachment to objects?
11.	Have a heightened or lowered sensitivity to noise, smell, temperature, colour, pain etc?
	Key: Questions 1 to 3 -- F=0, S=1, N=2. Questions 4 to 11 -- F=2, S=1, N=0.
	Total score

If the total score exceeds 4, particularly if it includes a score of 2 for questions 7 and/or 9, further assessment of whether the person has autism is necessary.

This measure has been developed by Brenda Nally, Regional Co-ordinator - North, The National Autistic Society, in conjunction with Dougal Hare, The University of Manchester.

A PDF copy of the 'Screening measure for autism in adults' can be downloaded below.