title: Validation of DSM-IV model of psychiatric syndromes in children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the internal construct validity of the DSM-IV as a conceptual model for characterizing behavioral syndromes in children with ASD. Parent and teachers completed the Child Symptom Inventory-4, a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale, for 6-to-12 year old clinic referrals with an ASD (N = 498). Ratings were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis and models were assessed for fit. Results were also compared to those obtained for a sample of non-ASD psychiatric outpatient school-age children. Fit indices ranged from acceptable to good for the ASD samples and compared well to those obtained in typically developing children. Findings lend support to the notion that DSM-IV syndromes may be an appropriate conceptual model for characterizing psychopathology in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Nisonger Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1257, USA. luc.lecavalier@osumc.edu
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lecavalier
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Gadow
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: DeVincent
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012923:Social Class; D013577:Syndrome