Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diagnostic Instruments for the Core Features of ASD

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of lifelong, heterogeneous disorders that share overlapping diagnostic criteria. The broad diagnostic criteria first defined by Kanner (1943) have remained consistent; however, the diagnostic systems classifying these core impairments (i.e., in socialization, communication, and restricted interests/repetitive behavior) have changed over time. Thus, to account for these changes, measures used to assess symptoms of various forms of ASDs have amended and transformed. With the increasing knowledge about the various ASDs, the development of diagnostic measures and screeners that assess for symptoms of ASD continues. Therefore, the focus of this chapter will be on measures specific to ASDs that assist in screening for symptoms and for diagnostic decision making. The standardization of ASD diagnoses remains complicated by research on the symptoms of ASD, differential diagnoses between ASDs, and the promotion of diagnosing ASD in preschoolers (Matson, Nebel-Schwalm, & Matson, 2007). Therefore, measures included in this chapter may cover one or a number of the above (e.g., for younger versus older children, just for autism versus differentiating between ASDs).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adrien, J. L., Roux, S., Courutier, G., Malvy, P., Guerin, P., Debuly, S., et al. (2001). Towards a new functional assessment of autistic dysfunction in children with developmental disorders: The Behavior Function Inventory. Autism, 5, 249–264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Ed., -Text revision). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asperger, H. (1991). ‘Autistic psychopathology’ in childhood. In U. Frith (Ed., Trans.), Autism and asperger syndrome (pp. 37–92). New York: Cambridge University Press. (Original work published in 1944)

    Google Scholar 

  • Attwood, T. (2007). The complete guide to asperger’s syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Cox, A., Baird, G., Charman, T., Swettenham, J., et al. (2000). The early identification of autism: The checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT). Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 93, 521–525.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., Taylor, E., Drew, A., Cockerill, H., Brown, J., & Baird, G. (2005). Outcome at 7 years of children diagnosed with autism at age 2: Predictive validity of assessment conducted at 2 and 3 years of age and pattern of symptom change over time. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46, 500–513.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, I. L. (2003). Criterion-related validity of the PDD Behavior Inventory. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33, 47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, I. L., Schmidt-Lackner, S., Romanczyk, R., & Sudhalter, V. (2003). The PDD Behavior Inventory: A rating scale for assessing response to intervention in children with pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33, 31–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, I. L., & Sudhalter, V. (1999). PDD behavior inventory: professional manual. Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Bildt, A., Sytema, S., Ketelaars, C., Kraijer, D., Volkmar, F., & Minderaa, R. (2003). Measuring pervasive developmental disorders in children and adolescents with mental retardation: A comparison of two screening instruments used in a study of the total mentally retarded population from a designated area. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33, 595–605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DiLavore, P. C., Lord, C., & Rutter, M. (1995). The pre-linguistic autism diagnostic observation schedule. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 355–379.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doss, A. J. (2005). Evidence-based diagnosis: Incorporating diagnostic instruments into clinical practice. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44, 947–952.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, R. C. (1993). The pervasive developmental disorders rating scale. Opelika, AL: Small World.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, R. C., Campbell, H. A., & Chambers, D. (2000). Criterion-related and construct validity of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale and the Autism Behavior Checklist. Psychology in the Schools, 37, 311–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, R. C., & Williams, T. O. (2006). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the pervasive developmental disorders rating scale for young children with autistic disorders. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 167, 65–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, S., & Gillberg, C. (1993). The epidemiology of Asperger syndrome. A total population study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 34, 1327–1350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, S., Gillberg, C., & Wing, L. (1999). A screening questionnaire for Asperger syndrome and other high-functioning autism spectrum disorders in school age children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 129–141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., & Ritvo, E. R. (1981). The syndrome of autism: A critical review of diagnostic systems and follow-up studies and the theoretical background in Behavior Observation Scale. In J. Gilliam (Ed.), Autism, diagnosis, instruction, management, and research. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Ritvo, E. R., Guthrie, D., Schroth, P. C., & Ball, J. (1978). The behavior observation scale for autism: Initial methodology, data analysis, and preliminary findings on 89 children. The Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 17, 576–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., & Schroth, P. C. (1984). The development of the Behavioral Observation System (BOS) for autism. Behavioral Assessment, 6, 177–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Schroth, P. C., Ritvo, E., Guthrie, D., & Wake, L. (1980). The behavior observation scale (BOS) for autism: Initial results of factor analyses. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 343–346.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garfin, D. G., McGallon, D., & Cox, R. (1988). Validity and reliability of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale with autistic adolescents. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 367–378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, J. E. (2006). GARS-2: Gilliam autism rating scale-second edition. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, J. E. (2001). Gilliam asperger’s disorder index. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraijer, D. (1997). Autism and autistic-like conditions in mental retardation. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krug, D. A., & Arick, J. R. (2003). Krug asperger’s disorder index. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krug, D., Arick, J., & Almond, P. (1980). Behavior checklist for identifying severely handicapped individuals with high levels of autistic behavior. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 21, 221–229.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lecavalier, L., Aman, M. G., Scahill, L., McDougle, C. J., McCracken, J. T., Vitiello, B., et al. (2006). Validity of the autism diagnostic interview-revised. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 111, 199–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LeCouteur, A., Rutter, M., Lord, C., Rios, P., Robertson, S., Holdgrafer, M., et al. (1989). Autistic diagnostic interview: A semi-structured interview for parents and caregivers of autistic persons. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 363–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leekam, S. R., Libby, S. J., Wing, L., Gould, J., & Taylor, C. (2002). The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders: Algorithms for ICD-10 childhood autism and Wing and Gould autistic spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43, 327–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Pickles, A., McLennan, J., Rutter, M., Bregman, J., Folstein, S., et al. (1997). Diagnosing autism: Analyses of data from the Autism Diagnostic Interview. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27, 501–517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H., Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., et al. (2000). The autism diagnostic observation schedule-generic: A standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 205–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., Goode, S., Heemsbergen, S., Jordon, J., Mawhood, L., et al. (1989). Autism diagnostic observation schedule: A standardized observation of communicative and social behavior. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 185–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., & LeCouteur, A. (1994). Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 659–685.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Boisjoli, J. A., & Dempsey, T. (2009). Factor structure of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC). Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 21, 195–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Boisjoli, J. A., González, M. L., Smith, K. R., & Wilkins, J. (2007). Norms and cut off scores for the autism spectrum disorders diagnosis for adults (ASD-DA) with intellectual disability. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1, 330–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Boisjoli, J. A., Hess, J., & Wilkins, J. (2010). Factor structure and diagnostic fidelity of the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 1 (BISCUIT-Part 1). Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 13, 72–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Boisjoli, J., & Wilkins, J. (2007). The baby and infant screen for children with autism traits (BISCUIT). Baton Rouge, LA: Disability Consultants, LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., & González, M. L. (2007). Autism spectrum disorders – diagnosis – child version. Baton Rouge, LA: Disability Consultants, LLC, Translated into Italian, Chinese, Hebrew, and Japanese.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., González, M., & Wilkins, J. (2009). Validity study of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 196–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., González, M. L., Wilkins, J., & Rivet, T. T. (2008). Reliability of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2, 696–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Hess, J. A., Mahan, S., & Fodstad, J. C. (2010). Convergent validity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 741–745.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Mahan, S., Hess, J. A., Neal, D., & Fodstad, J. C. (2010). Convergent validity of the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic for children (ASD-C) and childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 633–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Nebel-Schwalm, M., & Matson, M. L. (2007). A review of methodological issues in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1, 38–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Terlonge, C., & Gonzalez, M. L. (2006). Autism spectrum disorders-diagnosis (ASD-D). Baton Rouge, LA: Disability Consultants, LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Wilkins, J., Boisjoli, J. A., & Smith, K. R. (2008). The validity of the autism spectrum disorders-diagnosis for intellectually disabled adults (ASD-DA). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 29, 537–546.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. K., Wilkins, J., & Fodstad, J. C. (in press). The validity of the baby and infant screen for children with autism Traits (BISCUIT Part 1). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Wilkins, J., Sevin, J. A., Knight, C., Boisjoli, J., & Sharp, B. (2009). Reliability and item content of the baby and infant screen for children with autism traits (BISCUIT): Parts 1, 2, and 3. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 336–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Wilkins, J., Sharp, B., Knight, C., Sevin, J. A., & Boisjoli, J. A. (2009). Sensitivity and specificity of the baby and infant screen for children with autism traits (BISCUIT). Validity and cutoff scores for autism and PDD-NOS in toddlers. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 924–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mildenberger, K., Sitter, S., Noterdaeme, M., & Amorosa, H. (2001). The use of the ADI-R as a diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of children with infantile autism and children with a receptive language disorder. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 10, 248–255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myles, B. S., Bock, S. J., & Simpson, R. L. (2000). Asperger syndrome diagnostic scale. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newborg, J. (2005). Battelle developmental inventory (2nd ed). Itasca, IL: Riverside.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noterdaeme, M., Sitter, S., Mildenberger, K., & Amorosa, H. (2000). Diagnostic assessment of communicative and interactive behaviors in children with autism and receptive language disorders. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 9, 295–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rimland, B. (1971). The differentiation of childhood psychosis: An analysis for 2218 psychotic children. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1, 161–174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, D. L., Fein, D., Barton, M. L., & Green, J. A. (2001). The modified checklist for autism in toddlers: An initial study investigating the early detection of autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 131–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saemunden, E., Magnusson, P., Smari, J., & Sigurdardottir, S. (2003). Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Convergence and discrepancy in diagnosing autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33, 319–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schopler, E., Reichler, R. J., & Renner, B. R. (1988). The childhood autism rating scale (CARS) (Rev.). Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, F. J., Baron-Cohen, S., Bolton, P., & Brayne, C. (2002). The CAST (Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test): Preliminary development of a UK screen for mainstream primary-school age children. Autism, 6, 9–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skuse, D., Warrington, R., Bishop, D., Chowdhury, V., Lau, J., Mandy, W., et al. (2004). The Developmental Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di): A novel computerized assessment for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 548–558.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Coonrod, E. E., & Ousley, O. Y. (2000). Brief report: Screening Tool for Autism in Two-year-olds (STAT): Development and preliminary data. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 607–612.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., Coonrod, E. E., Turner, L. M., & Pozdol, S. L. (2004). Psychometric properties of the STAT for early autism screening. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34, 691–701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, W. L., & Ousley, O. Y. (1997). STAT manual: Screening tool for autism in two-year-olds. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szatmari, P., Archer, L., Fisman, S., & Streiner, D. L. (1994). Parent and teacher agreement in the assessment of pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 703–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R., Cicchetti, D. V., Dykens, E., Sparrow, S. S., Leekman, J. F., & Cohen, D. J. (1988). An evaluation of the autism behavior checklist. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 81–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wadden, N. P. K., Bryson, S. E., & Rodgers, R. S. (1991). A closer look at the Autism Behavior Checklist: Discriminant validity and factor structure. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 529–541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, T. O., & Eaves, R. C. (2002). The reliability of test scores for the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale. Psychology in the Schools, 39, 605–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L., Leekam, S. R., Libby, S. J., Gould, J., & Larcombe, M. (2002). The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders: Background inter-rater reliability and clinical use. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43, 307–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yirmiya, W., Sigman, M., & Freeman, B. J. (1994). Comparison between diagnostic instruments for identifying high-functioning children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 281–291.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1992). International classification of diseases (10th ed.). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Julie A. Worley

  2. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

Authors
  1. Julie A. Worley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Johnny L. Matson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johnny L. Matson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

  2. City University of New York, Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, 11367, New York, USA

    Peter Sturmey

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Worley, J.A., Matson, J.L. (2011). Diagnostic Instruments for the Core Features of ASD. In: Matson, J., Sturmey, P. (eds) International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation