Brief report: excluding the ADI-R behavioral domain improves diagnostic agreement in toddlers.
Past research shows poor agreement between the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and other diagnostic measures in toddlers. Our goal was to examine whether exclusion of the ADI-R behavioral domain results in improved diagnostic agreement. Toddlers aged 16-37 months (M = 26 months) received an evaluation because they failed the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (n = 142). Evaluations included the ADI-R, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and clinical judgment. Results found poor to fair agreement between the ADI-R and other measures; agreement improved when the ADI-R behavioral domain was excluded. These findings suggest that stereotyped interests and behaviors are not as relevant to the ADI-R as other diagnostic criteria when evaluating toddlers for autism spectrum disorders.
Wiggins
Lisa D
LD
Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5010, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA. lwiggins@cdc.gov
Robins
Diana L
DL
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires