Validation of two rating scales for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis in Colombian children.
This study assesses the validity of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-parent and teacher questionnaires for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis in a randomized sample of 344 Colombian children (145 cases, 199 controls), males and females, ages 6 to 11, with an estimated Wechsler Full Scale Intelligence Quotient over 70. The assessment protocol for both groups included psychiatric, neurologic, and psychological interviews, parent and teacher rating forms, and an Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Checklist. All Behavioral Assessment System for Children-parent and teacher dimensions, except withdrawal and somatization, significantly differentiated cases and controls. Parents and teachers rated attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder combined type children as significantly more aggressive. Both questionnaires had good discriminant accuracy for detecting cases and control children, but accuracy for discriminating between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder subtypes was poor. The Behavioral Assessment System for Children-parent and teacher questionnaires for 6- to 11-year-olds may be useful tools for diagnosing the presence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Additional assessment methods will be needed to discriminate between the subtypes.
Group of Neuropsychology and Conduct Disorder, University of San Buenaventura Medellín, Colombia.
David A
DA
Pineda
Daniel C
DC
Aguirre
Mauricio A
MA
Garcia
Francisco J
FJ
Lopera
Luis G
LG
Palacio
Randy W
RW
Kamphaus
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric