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Using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule with Young Children with Developmental Delay: Evaluating Diagnostic Validity

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Abstract

Few studies have focused on the validity of the ADI-R and ADOS in the assessment of preschool children with developmental delay. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the ADI-R and the ADOS in young children. Two-hundred and nine children aged 20–55 months participated in the study, 120 of whom received a diagnosis of autism. ADI-R and ADOS diagnostic classifications were compared to consensus clinical diagnoses. Children with a clinical diagnosis of autism scored significantly higher on all algorithm domains of the ADI-R and ADOS. The ADOS performed better than the ADI-R in comparison to consensus clinical diagnosis. Characteristics of the ADI-R and ADOS false positive and false negative cases are explored. Further research is recommended in terms of examining which items of the ADI-R best predict a diagnosis of autism for very young children with developmental problems.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council project grant (236834) to Dr Gray and Prof Tonge.

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Correspondence to Kylie M. Gray.

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Gray, K.M., Tonge, B.J. & Sweeney, D.J. Using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule with Young Children with Developmental Delay: Evaluating Diagnostic Validity. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 657–667 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0432-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0432-y

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