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Validation and determining an optimal cut-off score of the Infant Behavior Checklist for autism spectrum disorder
Toshinobu Takeda1, Hirokazu Osada2, Yui Tsuji3
1Faculty of Psychology Ryukoku University Kyoto Japan.
Insights
This study validates the Infant Behavior Checklist (IBC) for screening autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Japan. The IBC shows good validity and reliability, offering a valuable tool for early identification of ASD.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) necessitates reliable screening tools.
- Japan faces a shortage of child psychiatrists, increasing the need for efficient diagnostic aids.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of adaptable screening methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Infant Behavior Checklist (IBC) developed by Japanese experts for ASD screening.
- To determine an appropriate cut-off score for the IBC in the Japanese context.
- To assess the psychometric properties of the IBC for ASD identification.
Main Methods:
- 354 clinic-referred children and their caregivers participated.
- Statistical analysis of clinical records and IBC assessments.
- Diagnostic interviews were used to confirm diagnoses.
Main Results:
- The IBC demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77).
- IBC scores were significantly higher in children with ASD compared to non-ASD cases.
- The optimal cut-off score yielded an AUC of 0.803, with high sensitivity (0.94) and specificity (0.79).
Conclusions:
- The IBC is a valid screening instrument for ASD with satisfactory psychometric properties.
- High sensitivity and specificity support the IBC's utility for early ASD detection.
- Further research is recommended to confirm the clinical applicability of the IBC.
Aim:
Given the escalating prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the persistent paucity of child psychiatrists in Japan, and the need to prepare for unforeseen situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to establish a reliable screening tool. This study aims to validate the Infant Behavior Checklist (IBC) developed by Japanese experts and determine its appropriate cut-off score.
Methods:
A total of 354 clinic-referred children, along with their caregivers, participated in this research. Clinical records, including diagnoses established through the sub-structured diagnostic interviews, and the IBC assessments, were subjected to rigorous statistical analysis.
Results:
Among the 24 items, six failed to reach significance to differentiate ASD from non-ASD cases. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the IBC was calculated at 0.77. The IBC total score for ASD cases was significantly higher than that of non-ASD cases. With the chosen cut-off score, the IBC demonstrated an area under the ROC curve of 0.803, along with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 8.03, 0.79, 0.69, 0.34, and 0.94, respectively.
Conclusion:
The IBC exhibits satisfactory internal consistency and content and discriminant validity. The high sensitivity and other associated indices for the optimal cut-off score of the IBC affirm its validity as a screening instrument for ASD. Nevertheless, further investigations are warranted to ascertain the clinical utility of the IBC.
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