title: [Psychometric attributes of the Spanish version of A-TAC screening scale for autism spectrum disorders].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As there are no biological markers for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), screening must focus on behaviour and the presence of a markedly abnormal development or a deficiency in verbal and non-verbal social interaction and communication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the psychometric attributes of a Spanish version of the autism domain of the Autism-Tics, AD/HD and other Comorbidities Inventory (A-TAC) scale for ASD screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 140 subjects (43% male, 57% female) aged 6-16, with ASD (n=15), Mental Retardation (n=40), Psychiatric Illness (n=22), Tics (n=12) and controls (n=51), were included for ASD screening. The predictive validity, acceptability, scale assumptions, internal consistency, and precision were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The internal consistency was high (α=0.93), and the standard error was adequate (1.13 [95% CI, -1.08 a 3.34]). The mean scores of the Autism module were higher in patients diagnosed with ASD and mental disability compared to the rest of the patients (P<.001). The area under the curve was 0.96 for the ASD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The autism domain of the A-TAC scale seems to be a reliable, valid and precise tool for ASD screening in the Spanish school population.
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Yagüe, Burgos, España. esthercubo@gmail.com
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Cubo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sáez Velasco
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Delgado Benito
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ausín Villaverde
authors: X R
authors: XR
authors: García Soto
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Trejo Gabriel Y Galán
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Martín Santidrián
authors: J V
authors: JV
authors: Macarrón
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Cordero Guevara
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Benito-León
authors: E D
authors: ED
authors: Louis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires