Gender bias in autism screening: measurement invariance of different model frameworks of the Autism Spectrum Quotient.

Background: The Autism Spectrum Quotient is a popular autism screening tool recommended for identifying potential cases of autism. However, many women with autism demonstrate a different presentation of traits to those currently captured by screening measures and assessment methods, such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient.

Aims: Different models of the Autism Spectrum Quotient have been proposed in the literature, utilising different items from the original 50-item scale.

Views of services users and staff on a combined money advice and psychological therapy service within IAPT.

Background: Research has indicated that having financial difficulties may increase mental health problems and prevent recovery when receiving psychological treatment. A combined approach within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service could help clients by tackling their financial difficulties alongside supporting their mental health.

Aims: We aimed to explore the experiences and views of a potential combined intervention by speaking to IAPT service users who have/had experiences of money worries, as well as IAPT therapists and Citizen's Advice (CA) money advisers.

Shining a Light on a Hidden Population: Social Functioning and Mental Health in Women Reporting Autistic Traits But Lacking Diagnosis.

Female Phenotype Theory (FPT) suggests that autistic women often present with less obvious social impairments than autistic men. We examined the possibility of an exaggerated female phenotype among undiagnosed but probably autistic women. In two nationwide online surveys, we compared self-reported social functioning and mental health between diagnosed autistic women and women without diagnosis who scored ≥ 32 on the Autism Quotient.

Camouflaging Intent, First Impressions, and Age of ASC Diagnosis in Autistic Men and Women.

Camouflaging of autistic traits may make autism harder to diagnose. The current study evaluated the relations between camouflaging intent, first impressions, and age of autism diagnosis. Participants comprised autistic and non-autistic adults (n = 80, 50% female) who completed the Camouflaging of Autistic Traits Questionnaire.