A London doctor has gone viral on social media after presenting in a video ten essential questions whose answer determines whether you have autism.
A doctor went viral after a video about autism/PHOTO: TikTok DrSermedMezher
“The Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 is a brief screening tool designed to identify signs that may suggest a person may have autism“, stated Dr. Mezher.
Basically, screening aims to diagnose a disease when it is in a curable phase, writes the “Victor Babeș” Medical Center.
Also according to the doctor, this test can only give indications on some specific features of autism, but thorough investigations are needed to provide a diagnosis.
“A formal diagnosis requires a thorough analysis, including clinical interviews, developmental history, and observations from specialists.”the doctor explains.
Mezher says that, however, this test helps doctors know if investigations are needed. If we get a score higher than six points, we should request an evaluation.
“This test helps doctors figure out whether you might have autism or not. Scores of six or less make autism unlikely. Follow your first instinct”, explained the doctor.
The AQ-10 test is intended for people over the age of 16, and the questions focus on social and communication skills, or empathy.
What the test looks like
Get one point if you agree with any of the following statements:
1. I often notice sounds when others do not
2. I like to gather information about categories of things
3. I find it difficult to understand people’s intentions
4. When I read a story, I have a hard time understanding the characters’ intentions
Score one point if you disagree with any of the following statements:
5. I find it easy to read between the lines when someone is talking to me
6. I usually focus more on the big picture than the small details
7. I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored
8. It is easy for me to multitask (Disagree, one point)
9. I find it easy to tell what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face
10. In the event of an interruption, I can return to what I was doing very quickly (disagree, one point)
It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have been diagnosed with autism, and thousands more have autism without knowing it, writes the Daily Mail.
According to the National Health Service (NHS), autism is not a ‘disease’ but means that the brain works differently to other people.
