A top GP has taken to social media to share the ten key questions that could help determine whether a person has autism.
London-based medic Dr Sermed Mezher outlined the signs and symptoms this week to his 281,000 TikTok followers.
Called the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 (AQ-10) test, the simple questionnaire is used by medics to see if someone shows general traits of the condition.
Designed for over-16s it consists of ten questions focusing on social skills and communication and if you score more than six points you might be autistic.
It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have an autism diagnosis, with thousands more having it without knowing.
With numbers of children affected continuing to rise, earlier this year MailOnline revealed in some areas families are waiting up to four years for an assessment.
Being autistic, the NHS says, ‘does not mean you have an illness or disease’, rather it ‘means your brain works in a different way from other people.’
Autism can vary widely between individuals. Some will be able to lead fully functioning lives with no additional help, while others may need full-time assistance.
Classic signs of the disability include trouble communicating, finding certain situations overwhelming and repetitive behaviours.
‘The Autism Spectrum Quotient-10, is a brief screening tool designed to identify signs that may suggest a person could have autism,’ Dr Mezher said.
‘It consists of ten questions that focus on social communication, behaviour, and how someone processes information.
‘While the AQ-10 can provide an indication of autistic traits, it is not a diagnostic tool.
‘A high score on the AQ-10 suggests that further assessment might be necessary, but it cannot confirm an autism diagnosis.’
Dr Mezher also added that ‘the test serves as a preliminary step to highlight whether a more comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is warranted’.
He continued: ‘An official diagnosis requires in-depth analysis, including clinical interviews, developmental history, and observations by specialists.
‘The AQ-10 can be a useful first step in recognising potential signs of autism, but it is not definitive — merely a guide to help determine if additional professional insights are needed.
‘This test helps doctors to figure out if you could have autism or not. Scores of six or less make autism unlikely. Go with your first instinct.’
To take the test yourself, answer the questions in the panel below…
