Researchers have developed a new tool to aid in the detection of hidden signs of autism in adults.

The tool is a checklist of 31 compensatory strategies that autistic individuals often employ to mask their symptoms. These strategies can make diagnosis difficult and cause mental strain for individuals with autism.

The checklist includes social scripts such as copying gestures and making eye contact. The study, conducted by researchers from Cardiff University, King’s College London, and the University of Bath, aims to provide clinicians with a starting point to measure compensatory strategies during autism assessments.

The hope is that the tool will lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses for adults with autism and help identify and support those with additional mental health difficulties.

Additionally, the tool may be used by individuals seeking a diagnosis to understand their own behavior. The findings of the study were published in the journal Molecular Autism.

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