The developmental, dimensional and diagnostic interview (3di): a novel computerized assessment for autism spectrum
David Skuse1, Richard Warrington, Dorothy Bishop
1Institute of Child Health, University College London. dskuse@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Summary
A new parental interview tool, the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di), accurately assesses autism symptoms and comorbidity across all spectrum levels in clinical and general populations.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Psychometric Assessment
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents with variable severity and significant comorbidities.
- Current diagnostic tools lack dimensional assessment of autistic features.
- A need exists for a standardized interview applicable to diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a parental interview for dimensional assessment of autism symptoms and comorbidity.
- To create a tool suitable for both clinical and general population samples.
- To cover the full spectrum of autistic presentations.
Main Methods:
- A computerized interview procedure was developed for trained interviewers.
- Reliability (test-retest, interrater) was assessed in clinical and nonclinical groups.
- Validity (concurrent, discriminant, criterion) was evaluated against established measures and diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Excellent test-retest and interrater reliability (ICC > 0.9).
- Very good concurrent validity (kappa = 0.74) and excellent criterion validity.
- Near-perfect discrimination between autistic spectrum and non-autistic individuals (sensitivity 1.0, specificity > 0.97).
Conclusions:
- The Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di) offers an efficient and accurate method for dimensional autism assessment.
- The 3di is suitable for clinical and research use in diverse populations.
- This tool enhances opportunities in autism research and clinical practice.
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