A doctor has revealed 10 questions on TikTok that can help determine if someone has autism.
London-based Dr. Sermed Mezher described the signs and symptoms to 280,000 followers on social media.
Doctors use the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 (AQ-10) test to see if a patient has general traits that indicate the condition.
Questions: Dr. Sermed Mezher described the test
The questions, designed for ages 16 and up, focus on social skills and communication and if you score more than six points you could be autistic.
Experts say that being autistic doesn’t mean you have a disease or illness, but rather it means that your brain works differently than 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.
Classic signs of the condition include problems communicating and 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.”
Signs: Indicators of autism include communication problems and overwhelming situations.
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…
