Lexicon [Measures]- ADI
The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a semi-structured, and standardized interview designed for caregivers of autistics to gather information about the individual's behavior and development in key areas related to autism. The ADI-R is typically used for diagnostic purposes and for aiding in the assessment and treatment planning for autistics. [See posts on other Screening/Diagnostic Measures]
Limitations
- Limited applicability for nonspeaking individuals: The ADI-R is primarily designed for individuals with some level of spoken language skills.. Alternative assessment tools, may be necessary to complement the ADI-R in evaluating these individuals.
- The test is designed for a mental age of 18 months. [See post why Mental Age is problematic]
- Lack of emphasis on strengths and abilities: The ADI-R primarily focuses on identifying deficits and autism symptoms. A comprehensive assessment should also consider strengths and positive attributes that can contribute to a more holistic understanding of the individual.
- Does not factor in co-occuring condition and other complex health issues.
- Limited assessment of current functioning: The ADI-R primarily focuses on gathering retrospective information about the individual's behavior and development. While it provides valuable insights into early childhood behaviors, it may not capture the individual's current functioning or changes in behavior over time. Assessing current symptoms and adaptive functioning requires additional measures or observations.
- Reliance on informant report: The accuracy and reliability of the information collected depend on the informant's memory, observations, and interpretation. There may be instances where informants may not have complete or accurate knowledge of the individual's behavior, especially in cases where the informant is not the primary caregiver or when there are multiple caregivers with different levels of involvement.
- Subjectivity and biases: The ADI-R is susceptible to subjective biases, both from the interviewer and the informant which can influence reliability of results.
- Language and cultural factors: The ADI-R was developed primarily in English-speaking populations and may not fully capture cultural and linguistic variations. Cultural and language factors can influence the interpretation and reporting of behaviors, potentially leading to variations in the assessment outcomes for individuals from different cultural backgrounds or those with limited language abilities.