Factor Analysis of the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales Parent Report 6-18 in a Complex Community Sample

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Child Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Research on autism questionnaire psychometrics requires validation beyond standardization samples.
• The Autism Spectrum Rating Scales-Parent report (ASRS_p6) is a widely used autism screening tool.
• Previous factor structures of the ASRS_p6 may not generalize to diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factor structure of the ASRS_p6 in a well-characterized community sample.
• To assess the psychometric properties of a revised ASRS_p6 scale.
• To determine if the revised scale measures autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-specific traits.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used on a sample of 696 children (231 with autism, 465 without).
• Participants were prospectively evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2).
• Measurement invariance and correlations with DSM-5_p6 and ADOS-2 scores were examined.

Main Results:

• An improved 17-item, three-factor structure (Rigid/Sensory, Social, Executive Function) demonstrated good model fit, explaining 55% of the variance.
• Partial measurement invariance was found across diagnostic and gender groups.
• While correlations with DSM-5_p6 were high, correlations with ADOS-2 were weak, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for diagnostic accuracy were in the poor range.

Conclusions:

• The revised 17-item ASRS_p6 (Total-17) shows improved psychometric properties but does not appear to measure autism spectrum disorder-specific traits.
• Findings suggest the need for further research into the development of autism screening questionnaires.
• The study provides a foundation for refining existing tools and developing new ones for autism assessment.