The validity of the autism spectrum disorders-diagnosis for intellectually disabled adults (ASD-DA).
Psychologists interviewed direct-care staff using a battery of assessment measures including the autism spectrum disorders-diagnosis for intellectually disabled adults (ASD-DA), the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II), the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with Severe Retardation (MESSIER), the Socialization domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), and a checklist containing criteria for autism and PDD-NOS from the DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Three hundred and seven intellectually disabled (ID) adolescents and adults ranging in age from 16 to 88 were assessed. Participants were diagnosed with either ID and ASD (autism or PDD-NOS; n=156) or ID and no Axis I diagnosis (n=151). A modification of the multitrait-multimethod approach was used to establish the convergent and discriminant validity of the ASD-DA. The scale proved to have robust convergent validity when correlated with the DSM-IV-TR/ICD-10 checklist, MESSIER, and Socialization domain of the VABS. Additionally, discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing the ASD-DA to items from the DASH-II (measure of general psychopathology). The implications of these data are discussed.
Matson
Johnny L
JL
Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. Johnmatson@aol.com
Wilkins
Jonathan
J
Boisjoli
Jessica A
JA
Smith
Kimberly R
KR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D011594:Psychometrics; D055815:Young Adult