Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire into Malayalam (ASSQ-M)

Bibliographic Data

ID22431083
AuthorsK Vinod Sruthi (0009-0001-1348-9939, Language Science (South Korea)), Anjana Rathish (Language Science (South Korea)), Suma Raju (0000-0002-2207-5877, Language Science (South Korea), corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume29
Issue1
Publication date2026-12-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSpeech, Language and Hearing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2050-571X • E-ISSN: 2050-5728
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/2050571x.2026.2641845
OpenAlexW7135030989
LanguageEN
References cited33

The Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) (Ehlers & Gillberg, 1993) is a widely used tool for identifying the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the increasing prevalence of ASD in Kerala, there was a need to identify and culturally validate the most appropriate tool to screen for ASD. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the ASSQ into Malayalam (ASSQ-M) to improve the accuracy of ASD screening in Malayalam-speaking populations. The ASSQ-M was systematically translated, adapted, and tested for reliability and validity. The findings demonstrated strong internal consistency, with median scores and cutoff values aligning with previous adaptations in other languages. The successful validation of the ASSQ-M ensures its effectiveness as a culturally appropriate tool for ASD identification in children across a wide age range. Therefore, ASSQ-M can be effectively used by speech-language pathologists, parents, and other healthcare professionals to facilitate the identification of ASD in schools and community settings, ensuring better accessibility and screening accuracy in Kerala.

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Malayalam · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Family and Disability Support Research

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