Psychometric evaluation of the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire
The 25-item ASDQ gives BCBAs a quick, parent-powered way to screen and track autism symptoms across childhood.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Tde Wit et al. (2024) checked if the 25-item Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire (ASDQ) works well.
Parents filled out the short form about their kids aged 2-17.
The team ran the numbers twice to be sure.
What they found
The ASDQ showed strong, repeatable psychometrics.
It is good for screening and tracking change over time.
It is not meant to replace a full diagnosis.
How this fits with other research
Whitehouse et al. (2014) and Chowdhury et al. (2016) also found 24-25 item parent forms that work.
Their tools track different slices of autism, so the ASDQ adds another solid option.
Taylor et al. (2017) warned that most autism tools lack psychometric proof.
The new ASDQ answers that call with clear, replicated data.
Why it matters
You now have a free, five-minute parent form that reliably flags symptom change.
Use it at intake, re-check every three months, and adjust goals with real numbers.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
<h4>Aim</h4>To replicate and extend previous psychometric findings for the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire (ASDQ).<h4>Method</h4>Using a cross-sectional design in two samples, including a total of 3366 children and adolescents (aged 2-17 years; 1399 with autism spectrum disorder) and a small case series, factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, construct validity, screening and diagnostic efficiency, and detection of reliable change were examined for the ASDQ.<h4>Results</h4>Strong psychometric properties were observed, including replicable factor structure, strong measurement invariance, adequate-to-excellent scale and conditional reliability, strong convergent and discriminant validity, and good screening efficiency. Importantly, two crucial measurement aspects required for a good treatment outcome measure were found, that is, good test-retest stability and the potential to detect reliable change. As expected for an informant-reported questionnaire, diagnostic efficiency was weak.<h4>Interpretation</h4>The ASDQ showed evidence of favorable and well-replicated psychometric properties in two samples. Good screening but weak diagnostic efficiency, coupled with good test-retest stability, suggest that optimal clinical use is in screening and in detailed clinical characterization beyond what is offered by current informant-reported measures, with the potential for monitoring response to intervention. Despite relative brevity, the ASDQ provides good coverage of broad and specific aspects of the autism behavioral phenotype, which is consistent with the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.
, 2024 · doi:10.1111/dmcn.16200