Screening for autism spectrum disorder in deaf adults with intellectual disability: Feasibility and accuracy of two autism screening instruments

J Hofer; J Tillmann; J Salzmann; S Bölte; J Fellinger; D Holzinger

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104167

Screening for autism spectrum disorder in deaf adults with intellectual disability: Feasibility and accuracy of two autism screening instruments

Res Dev Disabil. 2022 Mar:122:104167. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104167. Epub 2022 Jan 5.

Authors

J Hofer¹, J Tillmann², J Salzmann³, S Bölte⁴, J Fellinger⁵, D Holzinger⁶

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria; Institute of Neurology of Language and Senses, Hospital of St. John of God, Linz, Austria; Department of Pediatrics I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
² Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria.
³ Institute of Neurology of Language and Senses, Hospital of St. John of God, Linz, Austria.
⁴ Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁵ Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria; Institute of Neurology of Language and Senses, Hospital of St. John of God, Linz, Austria; Division of Social Psychiatry, University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
⁶ Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria; Institute of Neurology of Language and Senses, Hospital of St. John of God, Linz, Austria; Institute of Linguistics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: daniel.holzinger@bblinz.at.

PMID: 34998116
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104167

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of autism screening instruments for deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) adults with intellectual disability.

Aims: This study examined the diagnostic validity of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Mental Retardation Scale and the Diagnostic Behavioral Assessment for autism spectrum disorder - Revised in this rare population.

Methods and participants: 56 DHH adults with intellectual disability living in three specialized therapeutic communities were examined, 9 of whom met criteria for autism.

Outcomes and results: With minimal adaptions regarding item interpretation, both tools showed good diagnostic and high convergent validity. Items probing for difficulties in reciprocal social interaction and restricted interests were discriminant between individuals with and without autism.

Conclusion: These data suggest that both autism screening tools are feasible and psychometrically sound when used with appropriate adaptations for DHH adults with intellectual disability.

Keywords: Adults; Assessment; Autism screening; Deaf and hard of hearing; DiBAS-R; Diagnosis; Intellectual disability; PDD-MRS.

MeSH terms

Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / complications
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
Autistic Disorder* / complications
Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Intellectual Disability* / complications
Intellectual Disability* / diagnosis
Mass Screening