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Purpose <p>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.</p> Methods <p>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&#xa0;years (mean = 32.75&#xa0;months). Parents completed these online along with the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT), which measures autistic traits.</p> Results <p>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 (<i>d</i> = 0.16), while no significant sex differences were observed in SQ-T scores (<i>d</i> = −0.09).</p> Conclusion <p>These newly validated measures open various further avenues to better understand the early profiles and developmental pathways associated with autism.</p>

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

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月23日

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  • Yumnah T. Khan,
  • Alex Tsompanidis,
  • Luning Sun,
  • Carrie Allison,
  • Simon Baron-Cohen

摘要

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.