The Empathy Quotient and Systemising Quotient for Toddlers: Development and Validation

PURPOSE: Empathy and systemising are traits that show on-average differences between autistic and non-autistic groups and have informed major theoretical frameworks of autism. While these constructs have been researched extensively in older age groups, no equivalent questionnaire-based measures exist for toddlers. METHODS: Here, we developed and validated toddler (T) versions of the Empathy Quotient (EQ-T) and Systemising Quotient (SQ-T) in 1,005 toddlers (572 males, 433 females) aged 1.5 to 4 years (mean = 32.75 months). Parents completed these online along with the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT), which measures autistic traits. RESULTS: Results indicated that (a) the EQ-T and SQ-T show good reliability, (b) EQ-T scores negatively predicted and SQ-T scores positively predicted autistic traits, and (c) on average, EQ-T scores were higher in females (d = 0.16), while no significant sex differences were observed in SQ-T scores (d = -0.09). CONCLUSION: These newly validated measures open various further avenues to better understand the early profiles and developmental pathways associated with autism.