Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that adults who report high levels of autistic traits through online surveys may not show the same social behaviors or clinical profiles as those formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, published in Nature Mental Health, highlights the limitations of relying solely on self-report surveys in online ASD research.
The researchers compared three groups: 56 individuals diagnosed with ASD after in-person evaluations, 56 people recruited online who reported high levels of autistic traits using a standard survey, and 56 people who scored low on autism trait questionnaires. The study found that despite similar self-reported symptoms, the online group with high autistic traits had distinct psychiatric profiles and tendencies during social interactions.
In contrast to the clinically diagnosed individuals, those in the online groups showed more awareness of their influence on virtual characters and made different choices during simulated social interactions. This suggests that some people who score high on autism trait questionnaires may not have ASD but rather a similar type of social struggle rooted in anxiety or depression.
The study emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between diagnoses and traits, highlighting the potential risks of creating treatments or policies based solely on online research. However, the researchers also note that self-reports still play a crucial role in understanding individual experiences and internal states.
Their findings have implications for clinical care, as relying solely on online studies may not provide accurate representations of ASD populations. The study suggests that clinician evaluations should be used to supplement or validate self-reported symptom measures.
Source: https://www.psypost.org