Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking (IPL): Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism
10:11

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking (IPL): Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

Published on: December 14, 2012

Can questions about social interaction correctly identify preschool aged children with autism?

Katrina Williams1, Deborah Perkins, Danielle Wheeler

  • 1Department of Community Child Health, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. katrina.williams@rch.org.au

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The Social Interaction Questionnaire (SIQ) aids in identifying preschool children who may need further evaluation for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An SIQ score of 14 or higher shows high accuracy in flagging potential ASD cases.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Social development is a critical area often overlooked in routine medical assessments of preschool children.
  • Early identification of social development deficits can aid in the early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a questionnaire, the Social Interaction Questionnaire (SIQ), for assessing social development in preschool children.
  • To determine the SIQ's utility in identifying children who may benefit from further autism assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Parents of 108 children completed the SIQ and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
  • Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate SIQ score thresholds against CARS scores (≥30).
  • Logistic regression identified key questions within the SIQ with the highest predictive value for ASD.

Main Results:

  • An SIQ score of 14 or higher demonstrated 85% sensitivity and 85% specificity in identifying children with a CARS score of 30 or more.
  • The positive likelihood ratio was 8.3, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.2.
  • Two specific questions on the SIQ were found to be most predictive of a high CARS score.

Conclusions:

  • The SIQ shows promise as a tool to assist clinicians in evaluating social development and guiding decisions for autism assessment referrals.
  • Further evaluation of the SIQ at the initial point of contact within clinical services is recommended.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research08:42

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research

Published on: July 31, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other01:20

Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game01:24

Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game

The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...