Computerized Adaptive Tests for Rapid and Accurate Assessment of Autism

Can computerized adaptive tests (CAT) be developed to rapidly and accurately assess for autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents? This diagnostic study developed and validated the CAT-Autism tool to assess autism spectrum disorder using a bifactor multidimensional item response theory model to calibrate a sample of 10 309 US children and adolescents. Of 490 potential item bank questions, 424 fit the bifactor structure; with age and sex as external predictors, the model yielded excellent diagnostic validity. The CAT-Autism showed high predictive accuracy from an assessment that can be completed in minutes, with comparable sensitivity and specificity to established but resource-intensive evaluations.

Corresponding Author: Suma Jacob, MD, PhD, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Ste 48-270, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (sjacob@mednet.ucla.edu).

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