Examination of the Factor Structure and Agreement of Three Questionnaires for Identifying Young Children At Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Loading...
Date
2012
Authors
Alkherainej, Khaled
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The factor structure and agreement among commonly used questionnaires for identifying children at risk for developmental disability and autism spectrum disorders between the ages of 36 and 66 months were studied. The Age and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ: SE), and the Social Communication Questionnaires (SCQ) were examined and compared in their ability to identify developmental disability and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in young children. The results showed the classification agreement of the ASQ was superior to the ASQ: SE and the SCQ. In addition, the factor structure of the ASQ appeared more theoretically grounded in comparison to the SCQ and the ASQ: SE. The results of the factor structure and agreement analysis indicate that the ASQ can be used to identify children at risk for developmental disability and ASDs. In addition, the ASQ: SE and the SCQ had strong agreement with a diagnosis of ASDs in young children, indicating that the ASQ: SE or the SCQ can also be used to identify children at risk for developmental disability and ASDs. Limitations of the current study and directions for future studies are discussed.