The Social Communication Questionnaire is a parent (or legal guardian) screening measure associated with autism spectrum disorder. The SCQ was created by Michael Rutter and Catherine Lord as a screening to be done by the parents in a way that was understandable for any parent that was completing the questionnaire. This questionnaire looks into the individual’s entire developmental history by asking questions about several types of behavior that may be present. There are two types of forms for the questionnaire: the lifetime form and the current form. The forms differ with the first 20 questions they ask, but are then identical when looking at the final 20 questions.
Lifetime form: Questions #1-20 focus on the child's entire life, while questions #20-40 focus on the child between the ages of 4 and 5.
Current form: Questions #1-20 focus on the child's behavior over the past three months, while questions #20-40 focus on the child between the ages of 4 and 5.
The results of the questionnaire help administrators to learn more about the individual’s everyday living experiences, which could lead to more diagnostic testing and work. It is important to note that even if the child scores an above average number, this does not mean the child has ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it just means that the child needs additional evaluations.
The SCQ is based off of the Medical Model thinking. This simply means that the questionnaire was created as a tool that gives teachers, administrators, and others, a tangible way to see if there is a medical issue with the child that impairs the his or her ability to learn. These medical issues are not always going to be visible, but can also be a cognitive medical issue.
Who is the SCQ most applicable for?
Lifetime form: Questions #1-20 focus on the child's entire life, while questions #20-40 focus on the child between the ages of 4 and 5.
Current form: Questions #1-20 focus on the child's behavior over the past three months, while questions #20-40 focus on the child between the ages of 4 and 5.
The results of the questionnaire help administrators to learn more about the individual’s everyday living experiences, which could lead to more diagnostic testing and work. It is important to note that even if the child scores an above average number, this does not mean the child has ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it just means that the child needs additional evaluations.
The SCQ is based off of the Medical Model thinking. This simply means that the questionnaire was created as a tool that gives teachers, administrators, and others, a tangible way to see if there is a medical issue with the child that impairs the his or her ability to learn. These medical issues are not always going to be visible, but can also be a cognitive medical issue.
Who is the SCQ most applicable for?
- If the child is at a chronological age of 4.0 years or older, provided that their mental age is at least 2.0 years old.
- This can also be extended down to a chronological age of 2.0, given that their mental age is also 2.0 years old.
- Administrators must remember that if they give this questionnaire to parents who has a child 2.0 years to 3.11 years old, the results should be viewed with appropriate caution by both the administrators and parents.