Autism Questionnaire

[guyshahar]

Hi

My son is getting assessed to see if they will give him an autism diagnosis on Wednesday. This is in Hounslow.

We are told that they will use a 10-question assessment (I think they called it the DCI 10, but I am not sure) as a core part of the assessment.

Has anyone heard of this, and know where I can find out what the questions are?

Thank you

AFAIK the common diagnostic questionnaires are ADOS/ADI or DISCO, depending on the age of the child (DISCO is for older children). Either of these would probably include detailed questions from parents, as well as observations of the child. I have to admit I haven't heard of DCI but it might stand for Diagnostic Criteria something (Interview)? The number 10 might just refer to the version it is (ie the earliest version might be 1, so 10 is the latest revision).

We had both ADOS and ADI for my ds, when he was 3.6. The questions were very detailed about his levels of interaction and communication, mainly, plus play-related ones. Eg did he bring things to show us, did he point things out, about pretend play, how did he make his needs known etc etc. The whole process, questionnaire, and observation took a whole morning.

I hope the assessment is straight-forward and you get some answers, and some help. Come back if you need to, there is lots of support here, and many of us have dc with ASD.

There's a 10 question assessment for adults called AQ 10, I wonder if there's a similar one for children. It's an initial questionnaire to see if further assessments might be necessary.

guidance.nice.org.uk/CG142/AQ10Test/pdf/English

Have a google of ICD-10, I think that may be what it is.

That's the International Classification of Diseases version 10, similar to DSM 4. It's just how a DX of autism is classified. It looks like they'll be using some sort of questionnaire, but it may be ADOS or DISCO. How old is your DS?

Yes ICD-10 and DSM IV are diagnostic manuals both were used for my DS dx.

DS had ADI, ADOS 3, Conners, etc

The Austism Diagnostic Interview takes a long time to complete usually about 2.5 hours ish. It is mainly focused around age 4/5 although I was asked when I noticed any difference in my DS, if he pointed, if he showed interest and took things to me etc. It focuses on behaviours of Reciprocal Social Interaction, Communication Verbal, Communication Non Verbal, Restricted, Repetitive and Stereotyped Patterns of Behaviour and Abnormality of Development before 36 Months.

I was asked questions such as does he use repetitive words, does he make up words, does he have any obsessions ie mine was phones, guns, harry potter. Does it effect play, does he play with toys appropriately. Simple questions really to help them form a picture.

Good luck! :)