Validating the 3DI-sva for use with adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validating the 3Di-sva: a short form diagnostic interview for autism spectrum disorders in adults
IRAS ID
145776
Contact name
Will Mandy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2014/04/02, Data Protection Registration
Research summary
The UK government has recently recognised the need for improved diagnostic and care pathways for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly in adults who have not previously had their condition recognised. There is a lack of valid, user-friendly diagnostic instruments suitable for adults.
The Dimensional, Developmental and Diagnostic Interview (3Di), a parent-report structured interview, is validated for diagnosing ASD in children. An adult version of the 3Di is potentially a useful tool for diagnosing ASD in adults. The interview explores difficulties encountered by the individual from early childhood to the present day in the two dimensions characterising ASD: (i) social communication and interaction; (ii) repetitive, stereotyped behaviours. Diagnostic criteria stipulate that, even when diagnosing ASD in adulthood, individuals must have shown symptoms in childhood. Therefore tools which incorporate parent report of an individual’s early years are vital.
This research aims to validate the 3Di for use with adults. It will investigate whether the tool demonstrates good inter-rater reliability and internal consistency, and discriminates effectively between ASD and typically developing populations, as well as between ASD and other clinical populations (whose presenting symptoms may be confusingly similar to those of ASD).
Four groups of participants will be sought: an ASD population from a Camden & Islington NHS Asperger’s Service (CIAS); an affective disorders control population from Camden & Islington NHS IAPT services; a psychosis control population from Community Psychosis Services in North East London NHS; a non-clinical control population will be a convenience sample recruited from acquaintances and colleagues.
Data for consenting members of the ASD group will be collected as part of routine assessment at the CIAS. Consenting participants from other groups will meet with the researcher on one occasion and complete a brief IQ test. Participants from the affective disorders group will also complete brief self-report measures of depression and anxiety. Consenting parents of these participants will be contacted by telephone and the adult 3Di will be administered by a researcher.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1134
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion