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The Autism Impact Measure (AIM): Initial Development of a New Tool for Treatment Outcome Measurement

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Abstract

The current study describes the development and psychometric properties of a new measure targeting sensitivity to change of core autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, the Autism Impact Measure (AIM). The AIM uses a 2-week recall period with items rated on two corresponding 5-point scales (frequency and impact). Psychometric properties were examined using a large sample (n = 440) of children with ASD enrolled in the Autism Treatment Network. The exploratory factor analysis indicated four factors and resulted in a 25-item questionnaire with excellent overall model fit. Test–retest reliability, cross-informant reliability, and convergent validity with other measures of ASD symptoms and overall functioning were strong. The AIM is a reliable and valid measure of frequency and impact of core ASD symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the members of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (AS ATN) for use of the data. The data for the study was collected as part of the AS ATN. Further support came from a cooperative agreement (UA3 MC 11054) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program, to the Massachusetts General Hospital. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA

    Stephen M. Kanne & Micah O. Mazurek

  2. Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children, Portland, OR, 97213, USA

    Darryn Sikora

  3. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA

    Jayne Bellando

  4. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA

    Lee Branum-Martin

  5. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, USA

    Benjamin Handen

  6. University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Terry Katz

  7. University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Brian Freedman

  8. Cornerstone Behavioral Medicine, High Point, NC, 27265, USA

    Mary Paige Powell

  9. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA

    Zachary Warren

  10. Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, 205 Portland Street, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Stephen M. Kanne

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  1. Stephen M. Kanne
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Correspondence to Stephen M. Kanne.

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Kanne, S.M., Mazurek, M.O., Sikora, D. et al. The Autism Impact Measure (AIM): Initial Development of a New Tool for Treatment Outcome Measurement. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 168–179 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1862-3

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