Ormond, Sarah (2016) Profiling Autism Symptomology: An Exploration of the Q-ASC in a Clinical Setting. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Highlighted differences among children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reflect a unique presentation within females, demonstrated by greater compensatory capacity and ability in social masking, camouflaging and imitation. It is argued that such presentation may have an inhibitory potential in confirming a diagnosis using current diagnostic assessments and screening tools. The emerging evidence of a presentation in females, distinct from the current and widely accepted features of ASD, based primarily on males, means current diagnostic assessments lack the required sensitivity to identify females across the full range of presentations of ASD. To address this gap, the Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Conditions (Q-ASC) was developed by Attwood, Garnett and Rynkiewicz (2011) to identify gender-sensitive profiles of ASD symptomatology; prioritise and adjust the direction of clinical interventions; and support positive psychosocial outcomes and prognosis into adulthood. Drawing on archival data, the current research piloted the Q-ASC within a clinical population of children and adolescents. Families of 238 children and adolescents provided parent-completed Q-ASC data comprising clinical diagnoses of ASD-Level 1 (without intellectual or language impairment), commonly known as Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). The initial sample included 138 males and 98 females with ages ranging between 5 -19 years (M = 12.18, SD = 3.8). Data analysis revealed eight interpretable and reliable components of the Q-ASC using Principle Components Analysis (PCA). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences between gender and age groups. Results found statistically significant mean differences of parent-reported characteristics among males and females. The findings from this study aim to identify improvements in the Q-ASC to assess the sensitivity and diversity of ASD presentations among female children and adolescents.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Charlotte Brownlow |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Sep 2025 23:42 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Sep 2025 23:42 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Asperger’s syndrome ; autism spectrum disorder ; symptomatology ; gender |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52635 |
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