Development of The Female Autism Spectrum Screening Tool (The FASST): A Pilot Study

Background: Females are on average diagnosed later than males and there is currently little consensus regarding female and other gender presentations of autism; what we do know is that subtle or different autistic presentations are either being missed or misdiagnosed. Current diagnostic assessments may not be sensitive enough to capture subtle differences in autistic presentations between the sexes.

Objectives: A new screening tool for autism, the FASST (Female Autism Spectrum Screening Tool) has been developed. The FASST was designed to be completed by an informant. This study evaluated the construct validity of the FASST.

Method: The study involved three groups, with 20 participants in each: autistic – diagnosed, autistic – self-identified, and non-autistic. Participants all identified as female (cis-gender) and completed a battery of self-reports. Each participant also identified a study partner who completed the FASST. All aspects of the study were completed online.

Results: Data collection will be completed by the end of February. Similarities and differences between FASST scores for each of the three groups and between the FASST scores and the self-report measures will be presented and discussed. Recommendations for further use of the FASST within other gender identities will also be discussed.

Conclusion: Improvement in awareness of different presentations of autism, and access to diagnostic pathways may improve with gender-specific screening tools. Timely identification of autism across all gender identities will improve health and quality of life outcomes for autistic people.