The structure of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: diagnostic and phenotypic implications.
BACKGROUND
Multivariate statistics can assist in refining the nosology and diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and also contribute important information for genetic studies. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is one of the most widely used assessment instruments in the field of PDD. The current study investigated its factor structure and convergence with measures of adaptive, language, and intellectual functioning.


METHODS
Analyses were conducted on 1,861 individuals with PDD between the ages of 4 and 18 years (mean = 8.3, SD = 3.2). ADI-R scores were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Analyses were conducted according to verbal status (n = 1,329 verbal, n = 532 nonverbal) and separately for algorithm items only and for all items. ADI-R scores were correlated with scores on measures of adaptive, language, and intellectual functioning.


RESULTS
Several factor solutions were examined and compared. CFAs suggested that two- and three-factor solutions were similar, and slightly superior to a one-factor solution. EFAs and measures of internal consistency provided some support for a two-factor solution consisting of social and communication behaviors and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Measures of functioning were not associated with ADI-R domain scores in nonverbal children, but negatively correlated in verbal children.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, data suggested that autism symptomatology can be explained statistically with a two-domain model. It also pointed to different symptoms susceptible to be helpful in linkage analyses. Implications of a two-factor model are discussed.
Snow
Anne V
AV
Nisonger Center and Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1257, USA.
Lecavalier
Luc
L
Houts
Carrie
C
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D012720:Severity of Illness Index