The Autism—Tics, AD/HD and other Comorbidities (A-TAC) telephone interview: Convergence with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

Abstract

Objective: To compare telephone interview screening for child psychiatric/neuropsychiatric disorders using the inventory of Autism—Tics, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and other Comorbidities (A-TAC) with results from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Background: The A-TAC is a parent telephone interview focusing on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and co-existing problems, developed for lay interviewers. Subjects and methods: A-TAC telephone interviews and CBCL questionnaires were obtained from parents of 106 Swedish twin pairs aged 9 and 12 years. Results: Correlations between A-TAC modules and CBCL scales aimed at measuring similar concepts were generally significant albeit modest, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.30 through 0.55. Conclusion: The A-TAC has convergent validity with the CBCL in several problem areas, but the A-TAC also provides more detailed and specific assessments of ASD symptoms and related neuropsychiatric problems.

• AD/HD
• Autism
• Child psychiatry
• Screening
• Validity

Acknowledgements

The Swedish Twin Registry is supported by grants from the Department of Higher Education, the Swedish Science Council. Funding for the study was also provided by the Swedish Science Council to Drs Gillberg and Anckarsäter and by the Alcohol Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly to Dr Anckarsäter. Mr Stahlberg's collaboration was covered by funds from the National Board of Institutional Care.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.