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‘Subtypes’ in the Presentation of Autistic Traits in the General Adult Population

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Abstract

The present study examined the presentation of autistic traits in a large adult population sample (n = 2,343). Cluster analysis indicated two subgroups with clearly distinguishable trait profiles. One group (n = 1,059) reported greater social difficulties and lower detail orientation, while the second group (n = 1,284) reported lesser social difficulties and greater detail orientation. We also report a three-factor solution for the autism-spectrum quotient, with two, related, social-themed factors (Sociability and Mentalising) and a third non-social factor that varied independently (Detail Orientation). These results indicate that different profiles of autistic characteristics tend to occur in the adult nonclinical population. Research into nonclinical variance in autistic features may benefit by considering social- and detail-related trait domains independently.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant (DP1311336). J.H. is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT100100322). P.E. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Research Fellowship (546244).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Colin J. Palmer.

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Palmer, C.J., Paton, B., Enticott, P.G. et al. ‘Subtypes’ in the Presentation of Autistic Traits in the General Adult Population. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1291–1301 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2289-1

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