Application of Psychometric Approach for ASD Evaluation in Russian 3–4-Year-Olds

Abstract

Background: Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a significant socio-biological problem due to its wide prevalence and negative outcomes. In the current study, we aimed to develop an autism scale for early and accurate differentiation of 3- to 4-year-olds at risk for ASD since there is no systematic monitoring of young children in Russia yet. Methods: The total sample (N = 324) included 116 children with ASD, 131 children without ASD (healthy controls), and 77 children with developmental delay (DD). An online survey of specialists working with children was conducted based on a specially designed autism questionnaire consisting of 85 multiple-choice tasks distributed across 12 domains. Initially, each child was assessed by 434 items using a dichotomous scale (0 = no, 1 = yes). Factor and discriminant analyses were performed to identify a compact set of subscales that most accurately and with sufficient reliability predicted whether a child belongs to the ASD group. Results: As a result, four subscales were obtained: Sensorics, Emotions, Hyperactivity, and Communication. The high discriminability of the subscales in distinguishing the ASD group from the non-ASD group was revealed (accuracy 85.5–87.0%). Overall, the obtained subscales meet psychometric requirements and allow for creating an online screening system for wide application.

Factor Structure of ASD Symptoms in Russian 3-4-Year-Olds

“…The main result of the study was the creation of an Autism Scale based on 40 autism symptoms (items) representing 4 vectors of its manifestation: "Emotional disorders", "Sensory disintegration", "Communication disorders" and "Hyperactivity/Disinhibition". The scale has a prediction accuracy of 88.91% (sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 87.2%) [12,13]. The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis of structural and measurement equivalence confirmed the 4-vector structure of ASD for a sample of children with ASD, its structural and measurement invariance was established with respect to children with ASD differing in gender and age for 3-4-year-olds boys and girls.…”

“…A preliminary data analysis showed that readings suitable for children with developmental delays gave an uncertain result for children with ASD. In our recent publications devoted to the elaboration of a scale for early and accurate differentiation of 3-4-year-olds children at risk for ASD, a 4-factor model of autism was obtained in a sample consisting of 828 children (294-with ASD, 334-TD, 200-with DD), which included the following four vectors: sensory disorders, emotional disorders, communication disorders, hyperactivity/disinhibition [12]. These vectors, consisting of 40 items (points on the autism scale), were the directions that most accurately (88%) separated children with ASD from other children.…”

“…The initial data were 436 binary variables -the results of using an Autism Markers Questionnaire implemented as an online survey. Our research group developed an autism questionnaire at the previous stage of our research project [12]. The tasks' content (situations, areas of activity, behavioral pattern, and possible signs of ASD) was obtained by interviewing experienced practitioners engaged in psychological, behavioral, and pedagogical support of children in ordinary and extraordinary preschool institutions.…”

Dynamics of autism symptoms in 3-6-year-olds within the framework of a 4-factor model

“…The main result of the study was elaboration of Autism Scale based on 40 autism symptoms (points) representing 4 vectors of its manifestation: 1) difficulties in establishing emotional contact, expressing one's emotions and decoding the emotions of others in the context of social interaction; 2) sensory disintegration; 3) difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication and social skills; 4) hyperactivity, including excessive movements, motor disinhibition and restless behavior. The Scale has a prediction accuracy of 88.91% (sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 87.2%) (Nasledov, Miroshnikov, Tkacheva, Miroshnik, & Semeta, 2021). The structural and measurement invariance of this model was confirmed for boys and girls, 3-and 4-year-olds (Nasledov et al, 2021).…”

“…The Scale has a prediction accuracy of 88.91% (sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 87.2%) (Nasledov, Miroshnikov, Tkacheva, Miroshnik, & Semeta, 2021). The structural and measurement invariance of this model was confirmed for boys and girls, 3-and 4-year-olds (Nasledov et al, 2021). In 2023 233 5-6-year-olds with ASD were examined using an online questionnaire including 40 points of the mentioned above Scale, in order to study the suitability of the developed Scale for diagnosing children of this age and identification of possible age-related changes.…”