The Utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire in Screening for Autism in Children Referred for Early Intervention

Abstract

The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) is a brief parental screening instrument used to identify children With autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Screening validity for the SCQ has been supported in children 4 years of age and older, but ongoing studies indicate that the SCQ may not be effective in identifying very young children With ASD. The purpose of the current investigation Was to determine Whether the SCQ could distinguish children With ASD from children With other developmental delays in a sample of very young children referred for early intervention. Results found that the recommended cutoff score of 15 yielded a sensitivity value of .47 and a specificity value of .89. Maximum sensitivity and specificity rates Were achieved When the SCQ cutoff score Was reduced to 11 (.89 and .89, respectively). Implications of the findings are discussed.