A leading GP has taken to social media to share the ten key questions that could help determine if a person has autism.
London-based physician Dr. Sermed Mezher described the signs and symptoms this week to his 281,000 TikTok followers.
Doctors use this simple questionnaire, called the autism spectrum quotient-10 (AQ-10) test, to see if someone shows general features of the condition.
Designed for ages 16 and up, it consists of ten questions focusing on social skills and communication, and if you score more than six points you could be autistic.
It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have a diagnosis of autism, and thousands more have it without knowing it.
As the number of children affected continues to rise, earlier this year MailOnline revealed that 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 to other people”.
Autism can vary widely between individuals. Some will be able to lead a fully functional life without additional help, while others will need full-time assistance.
London doctor Sermed Mezher, who has 281,000 followers on TikTok, shared a screening tool designed to identify signs that may suggest a person might have autism.
In the video he reveals symptoms such as difficulty communicating, taking longer to process information or doing things repetitively, all of which could mean that you have autistic traits.
Classic signs of disability include problems communicating, finding certain situations overwhelming, and repetitive behaviors.
“The Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 is a brief screening tool designed to identify signs that may suggest a person may have autism,” said Dr. Mezher.
‘It consists of ten questions that focus on social communication, behavior and how someone processes information.
“Although 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 evaluation may be necessary, but cannot confirm a diagnosis of autism.”
Dr. Mezher also added that “the test serves as a preliminary step to highlight whether further evaluation by a healthcare professional is warranted.”
He continued: ‘An official diagnosis requires in-depth analysis, including clinical interviews, developmental history and specialist observations.
‘The AQ-10 can be a useful first step in recognizing potential signs of autism, but it is not definitive: it is simply a guide to help determine if additional professional knowledge is needed.
‘This test helps doctors determine whether you may have autism or not. Scores of six or less make autism unlikely. Follow your first instinct.’
To take the exam yourself, answer the questions on the panel below…