Development of the psi: A phone interview for screening for autistic spectrum disorder (asd) symptoms

Abstract

The research describes the development of the Phone Screening Interview (PSI) for screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. Thirty-seven parents of ASD children (2 to 12 years old) from the Applied Psychology Service of PUC-Rio were interviewed. The children were evaluated by psychiatrists and the CARS scale was applied to determine the severity of the disorder. Multivariate descriptive and inferential statistical analyses (ANOVA and hierarchical clusters) were performed. The results indicate that performance in PSI is invariant regarding age, education, severity, and linguistic and motor development. Cluster analysis for variables uncovered a grouping of social communication symptoms and another of stereotyped pattern ones. Cluster analysis of parents' responses in PSI found two groups that differ in the degree of difficulty in communication and social skills. In conclusion, PSI is shown as: (1) easy to apply; (2) brief; (3) encompassing a broad age range (2 to 12 years); (4) applicable to mild to moderate ASD symptoms; (5) including verbal and nonverbal children; (6) consistent with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The study discusses the accuracy of the caregiver's perception regarding signs of ASD, as well as the heterogeneity of the ASD phenotype.