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. 2021 Jun 30;12:47. doi: 10.1186/s13229-021-00455-5

Table 3.

Proportion of participants endorsing each ADOS-2 item (non-zero scores)

AN (n = 64) (%) REC (n = 46) (%) ASD (n = 41) (%)
Language and communication
A1. Overall level of non-echoed spoken language 0 0 0
A2. Speech abnormalities 20a** 13 a** 46 b**
A3. Immediate echolalia 2 2 0
A4. Stereotyped/idiosyncratic words or phrases 22 20 17
A5. Offers information 31 30 29
A6. Asks for information 72 80 85
A7. Reporting of events 33 44 42
A8. Conversation 34 33 59
A9. Descriptive gestures 42 30 59
A10. Emphatic or emotional gestures 52 a** 28 b** 73 a**
Reciprocal social interaction
B1. Unusual eye contact 23 13 37
B2. Facial expressions 44 39 66
B3. Language production and linked nonverbal communication 19 a** 13 a** 64 b**
B4. Shared enjoyment 32 33 39
B5. Communication of own affect 42 26 42
B6. Comments on others’ emotions/empathy 44 ab** 24 b** 66 a**
B7. Insight into typical social situations/relationships 28 17 42
B8. Responsibility 11 a** 4 a** 37b**
B9. Quality of social overtures 16 a** 11 a** 54 b**
B10. Amount of social overtures/maintenance of attention 30 33 49
B11. Quality of social response 16 a** 20 a** 66 b**
B12. Amount of reciprocal social communication 33 41 61
B13. Overall quality of rapport 27 ab* 20 b* 49 a*
Creativity
C1. Imagination/creativity 39a** 33 a** 78 b**
Stereotyped behaviours and restricted interests
D1. Unusual sensory interest 48a* 30ab* 17b*
D2. Hand and finger and other complex mannerisms 20 22 10
D3. Self-injurious behaviour 2 0 0
D4. Excessive interest in specific topics or repetitive behaviours 13 9 22
D5. Compulsions or rituals 13 9 5
Other abnormal behaviours
E1. Overactivity/agitation 7 10 5
E2. Tantrums, aggression, negative or disruptive behaviour 0 0 2
E3. Anxiety 20 24 27

ADOS-2, autism diagnostic observation schedule, 2nd edition; AN, anorexia nervosa; ASD, autism spectrum disorder; REC, recovered anorexia nervosa

Different superscripts indicate significant differences (< .01) between groups

*p < 0.01; **p < 0.001

Restricted and repetitive behaviour subscale items

Social affect subscale items