Examining the criterion-related validity of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory.
PDBI Adaptive scores are okay, but its autism and problem scales don’t match CARS, so use them with caution.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team tested the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory (PDBI).
They wanted to see if its scores match other trusted autism measures.
Kids with autism already had CARS, IQ, and Vineland scores on file.
Researchers ran simple correlations between the PDBI and those tools.
What they found
Adaptive scores on the PDBI lined up fairly well with IQ and Vineland numbers.
Maladaptive and Autism Composite scores did not correlate with CARS totals.
That mismatch raises a red flag for those two PDBI scales.
Overall, the tool shows mixed validity at best.
How this fits with other research
Haring et al. (1988) showed CARS can cleanly split autistic from non-autistic teens.
Matson et al. (1994) broke CARS into three factors and found Social Impairment works best.
Because CARS has solid backing, the PDBI’s failure to link with it is worrying.
Narzisi et al. (2013) got great results with the CBCL 1½-5, proving parent screens can work.
Their toddler study hit over a large share accuracy, so weak PDBI numbers are not just a parent-form problem.
Why it matters
You can keep using PDBI Adaptive scores as a quick gauge of daily skills.
Do not rely on its Maladaptive or Autism Composite scores for diagnosis or treatment planning.
Double-check any red flags with CARS or another well-validated tool before big decisions.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory is a questionnaire designed to aid in the diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders or autism spectrum disorders. The Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory assesses adaptive and maladaptive behaviors associated with pervasive developmental disorders and provides an age-standardized Autism Composite score. In previous research, the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory has demonstrated moderate to strong reliability and validity. This study aimed to replicate and extend previous research by investigating the criterion-related validity of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory. Data from 40 children were analyzed in relation to other measures. The Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory adaptive scores were moderately correlated with cognitive and adaptive behavior scores as expected. However, no significant correlations were found between the maladaptive and Autism Composite scores of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Results lead to concerns regarding the validity of some scores of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory.
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 2015 · doi:10.1177/1362361313518123