title: Longitudinal changes in Scores on the Autism Diagnostic Interview--Revised (ADI-R) in pre-school children with autism: Implications for diagnostic classification and symptom stability.
abstract: We prospectively examined mean changes in Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) Total and Domains scores and stability of the ADI-R diagnostic classification in 28 children with autism initially assessed at age 2-4 years and reassessed 2 years later. Mean Total, Social Interaction, and Communication scores decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 2 Restricted/repetitive Domain mean scores did not change over time. The ADI-R diagnostic classification was stable in 67% of children using the current published criteria. The stability increased to 78% when a modified criterion was used in the Restricted/repetitive Domain and to 88% when the broader ASD criteria were used. Among pre-schoolers with autism, parent-reported symptoms decreased significantly at two-year follow-up in Social and Communication Domains but not in the Restricted/repetitive Domain. However, ADI-R diagnostic classification remained relatively stable over time. Revising ADI-R diagnostic criteria in the Restricted/repetitive Domain or including the broader ASD criteria may improve its sensitivity and diagnostic stability in younger children.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Gnakub Norbert
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Soke
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philofsky
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diguiseppi
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lezotte
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hepburn
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000592:standards; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity