title: Validity of DSM-IV syndromes in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Behavior and emotional problems are often present in very young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) but their nosology has been the object of scant empirical attention. The objective of this study was to assess the construct validity of select Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-defined syndromes (ADHD, ODD, Mood disorder) in preschoolers with ASD (N = 229). Parents and teachers completed the Early Childhood Inventory-4, a behavior rating scale based on the  DSM-IV, and ratings were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis. Results generally supported the DSM nosology in this population. There was some evidence that parent ratings were associated with better fit indices (e.g. RSMEA = .062) than teachers (e.g. RMSEA = .083). For both raters, fit indices appeared to improve when the ADHD factor was broken into its constituent parts. However, hyperactivity symptoms accounted for little unique additional variance in the model. Findings lend support to the DSM as a conceptual model for behavioral syndromes in preschoolers with ASDs and also reinforce the importance of source-specificity when considering psychiatric disorders in children with ASDs.
authors: Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. luc.lecavalier@osumc.edu
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Lecavalier
authors: Kenneth D
authors: KD
authors: Gadow
authors: Carla J
authors: CJ
authors: Devincent
authors: Carrie R
authors: CR
authors: Houts
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Edwards
mesh_terms: D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results