UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Department of Psychiatry
Fifth Annual Research Forum – Extravaganza 2014
POSTER TITLE
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Module 4: Revised Algorithm and
Standardized Severity Scores – A Replication Study in an NDAR sample
DISEASE/KEY
WORDS:
299.0; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Module
4, National Database for Autism Research (NDAR)
AUTHORS:
S.J.Guter & E.H.Cook
MENTEE
CATEGORY:
RESEARCH MENTOR:
BACKGROUND:
A recent paper by Hus & Lord (2014) proposed a revised diagnostic algorithm and
standardized severity scores for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Module 4 (M4) which is used with verbally fluent adolescents and adults suspected
of having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
METHODS:
The current study attempts to replicate the Hus & Lord (2014) findings using a
sample drawn from the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR).
RESULTS:
Our analysis indicated the revised ADOS M4 algorithm Social Affect (SA) + Restricted
and Repetitive Behaviors (RRB) total had increased sensitivity when compared to the
revised ADOS M4 algorithm SA total or the original ADOS M4 algorithm’s diagnostic
criteria (94.2%, 93.5%, and 90.2%, respectively); specificity for each was >96%. For
the ASD group, there were weak, but significant, correlations between the revised
ADOS M4 SA+RRB total with age and cognitive scores. The ASD group’s calibrated
severity scores (CSS) were significantly higher than those for the Non-ASD group.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings support the use of the revised ADOS M4 algorithm and reflect recent
changes in the DSM-5 (APA 2013) providing improved diagnostic sensitivity for
individuals suspected of having an ASD, as well as increased comparability with the
other previously revised algorithms for the ADOS Modules 1-3.
This poster was presented at the 3rd Annual Conte Center Scientific Retreat, May
2014, at the University of Chicago.