Table 5 Autistic developmental history assessment tools
The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) |
To date, the ADI-R has the largest evidence base and highest sensitivity and specificity and is considered the ‘gold standard’ developmental history tool for autism [238, 242]. The ADI-R requires informants who have known the individual since birth and can provide detailed information about childhood (between the ages of 4–5) and current social communication [230, 231] |
The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) |
The DISCO [233] is a validated semi-structured informant interview. It adopts a dimensional approach that provides a clinical description of the individuals strengths and difficulties. This has recently been updated and revised and made considerably shorter |
The Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di) |
The 3di [232] is a validated computerised autism interview. It provides the opportunity to include questions about frequently co-occurring conditions such as conduct disorders, ADHD, pragmatic language disorders, Tourette syndrome and obsessive–compulsive disorder. The 3di is suitable for young people aged 4–25 years, but it is not validated for adults over the age of 25 |
The Diagnostic Autism Spectrum Interview (DASI) |
The DASI [100], is a semi-structured self- and/or informant interview drawing on the most up-to-date diagnostic manuals (DSM-5 and ICD-11). It is suitable for children (> 2 years), young people and adults and includes prompts for the assessor to consider a range of comorbid conditions. In addition, the DASI includes an observational component which aims to supplement the clinical interview with objective observations of the individual’s social communication strengths and difficulties. Interview questions parallel the diagnostic criteria but, at the time of publication, the tool has yet to be validated |
The Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning autism diagnostic Interview (ASDI) |
The ASDI [234] was developed over several years on the basis of experience with several hundred patients with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, including a large number with ‘autistic psychopathy’, ‘schizoid personality disorder’ and ‘Asperger syndrome’. It is a 20-item diagnostic interview covering six diagnostic domains; four ‘social’, three ‘interests’, two ‘routines’, five ‘verbal and speech’, five ‘non-verbal communication’ and one ‘motor. At the time of publication, the tool has yet to be validated |
The Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA) |
The ACIA [235] was adapted from the Family History Interview and refined in accordance with the DSM-5. The ACIA has both subject and informant versions and is comprised of three components. Initially, individuals complete a pre-interview questionnaire. Following this, individuals complete a face-to-face semi-structured interview that covers 22 core items used to calculate social communication and interaction differences and restricted and repetitive behaviours in accordance with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Finally, the ACIA also includes a co-occurring conditions interview. at the time of publication, the tool has yet to be validated |
Royal College of Psychiatrists Interview Guide for the Diagnostic Assessment of Able Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Revised Edition |
The Royal College of Psychiatrists Interview Guide for the Diagnostic Assessment of Able Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Revised Edition [236] is an interview guide which provides probes to elicit relevant information, support the organisation of this evidence and inform clinical judgment. This tool is designed for use with adults with cognitive abilities within the average range or above |