Accuracy of the autism spectrum screening questionnaire -- GIRL in identifying females with autism spectrum disorder

Castonguay, Sydney

Castonguay, S. (2024). Accuracy of the autism spectrum screening questionnaire -- GIRL in identifying females with autism spectrum disorder.

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Title	Accuracy of the autism spectrum screening questionnaire -- GIRL in identifying females with autism spectrum disorder
Abstract	Females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an emerging research topic in the field of special education. Identification of ASD begins with the use of screening tools. This study utilized the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire – Revised Extended Version (ASSQ-REV) to (1) evaluate the accuracy of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) in identifying males and females with ASD and (2) evaluate the accuracy of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire – GIRL (ASSQ-GIRL) questions in distinguishing between the female and male phenotypes of ASD. Two hypotheses were proposed: (1) males will more accurately be identified than females as having ASD using the ASSQ and (2) the ASSQ-GIRL will identify the female phenotype of ASD at a greater rate than the male phenotype of ASD. Heterogenous convenience sampling was utilized to recruit 49 participants. Responses were analyzed through quantitative analysis using the McNemar’s test. Results showed no statistically significant difference for both hypotheses thus disproving both proposed hypotheses. Further research should focus on the inclusion of characteristics of females with ASD into ASD screening tools. This research has the potential to lead to earlier ages of diagnosis for females with ASD thus resulting in increased access to needed interventions and supports.
Date	2024

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Title: Accuracy of the autism spectrum screening questionnaire -- GIRL in identifying females with autism spectrum disorder
Author: Castonguay, Sydney
Abstract: Females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an emerging research topic in the field of special education. Identification of ASD begins with the use of screening tools. This study utilized the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire – Revised Extended Version (ASSQ-REV) to (1) evaluate the accuracy of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) in identifying males and females with ASD and (2) evaluate the accuracy of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire – GIRL (ASSQ-GIRL) questions in distinguishing between the female and male phenotypes of ASD. Two hypotheses were proposed: (1) males will more accurately be identified than females as having ASD using the ASSQ and (2) the ASSQ-GIRL will identify the female phenotype of ASD at a greater rate than the male phenotype of ASD. Heterogenous convenience sampling was utilized to recruit 49 participants. Responses were analyzed through quantitative analysis using the McNemar’s test. Results showed no statistically significant difference for both hypotheses thus disproving both proposed hypotheses. Further research should focus on the inclusion of characteristics of females with ASD into ASD screening tools. This research has the potential to lead to earlier ages of diagnosis for females with ASD thus resulting in increased access to needed interventions and supports.
Advisor: Rineer-Hershey, Ashlea
Committee Members: Busi, Richard
McKeithan, Glennda
Date Issued: 2024
Degree Granting Institution: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
Special Education
Degree Name: Degree of Doctor of Education (Ed. D.)
Degree Level: Doctorate Degree
Degree Discipline: Special Education
Genre: Dissertation/Thesis
Topics: Autism spectrum disorders in children -- Girls -- Diagnosis -- United States
Copyright Statement: The copyright to this item is owned by the author and falls under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)