Relative clinical utility of three Child Symptom Inventory-4 scoring algorithms for differentiating children with autism spectrum disorder vs. attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The present study compared three separate Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) scoring algorithms for differentiating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from youngsters with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Parents/teachers completed the CSI-4, a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale, for 6 to 12-year-old clinical referrals with ASD (N = 186) and ADHD (N = 251). Algorithms were based on either all CSI-4 items (forward logistic regressions) or the 12 DSM-IV symptoms of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) included in the CSI-4.


RESULTS
ROC analyses indicated generally good to excellent values for area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive power. Algorithms for parent ratings were superior to teacher ratings. The algorithm based solely on PDD symptoms evidenced the greatest generalizability.


CONCLUSIONS
Although algorithms generated from regression analyses produced greater clinical utility for specific samples, the PDD-based algorithm resulted in greater stability across samples.
DeVincent
Carla J
CJ
Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Pediatrics, Putnam Hall, South Campus, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8790, USA.
Gadow
Kenneth D
KD
D000465:Algorithms; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results