Using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient to Discriminate AutismSpectrum Disorder from ADHD in Adult Patients With and Without Comorbid Substance Use Disorder

摘要

It is unknown whether the Autism-spectrumquotient (AQ) can discriminate between Autism SpectrumDisorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit and HyperactivityDisorder (ADHD) with or without comorbid Substance UseDisorder (SUD). ANOVA' s were used to analyse the meanAQ (sub)scores of 129 adults with ASD or ADHD. Weapplied receiver operating characteristic (ROC) computa-tions to assess discriminant power. All but one of the meanAQ (sub)scores were significantly higher for adults withASD compared to those with ADHD. The SUD status ingeneral was not significantly associated with AQ (sub)-scores. On the Social Skills subscale patients with ASD andcomorbid SUD showed less impairment than those without SUD. The cut-off score 26 yielded 73% correct classifi-cations. The clinical use of the AQ in differentiatingbetween ASD and ADHD is limited.