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Review of Factor Analytic Studies Examining Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Factor analytic studies have been conducted to examine the inter-relationships and degree of overlap among symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper reviewed 36 factor analytic studies that have examined ASD symptoms, using 13 different instruments. Studies were grouped into three categories: Studies with all DSM-IV symptoms, studies with a subset of DSM-IV symptoms, and studies with symptoms that were not specifically based on the DSM-IV. There was consistent support for a common social/communication domain that is distinct from a restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests domain. Implications for symptom conceptualization and diagnosis in ASD are discussed.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research, York University, Toronto, Canada

    Jill Shuster & Maggie E. Toplak

  2. York University, Toronto, Canada

    Adrienne Perry & James Bebko

  3. Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele St., 126 BSB, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Maggie E. Toplak

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  1. Jill Shuster
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  2. Adrienne Perry
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  4. Maggie E. Toplak
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Correspondence to Maggie E. Toplak.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 3 and Fig. 1.

Table 3 Summary of studies included in review
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Fig. 1
figure 1

Summary of studies with DSM-IV or DSM-5 symptoms. DSM-IV Subdomains: (S) Impaired socialization: (S1) failure to use non-verbal behaviors to regulate social interaction, (S2) failure to develop peer relationships, (S3) lack of shared enjoyment, (S4) lack of socio-emotional reciprocity; (C) impaired communication: (C1) lack of, or delay in spoken language and failure to compensate through gesture, (C2) lack of varied spontaneous make-believe or social imitative play, (C3) relative failure to initiate or sustain conversation interchange, (C4) stereotyped, repetitive or idiosyncratic speech; (R) stereotyped behaviours and restricted interests: (R1) encompassing preoccupation or circumscribed pattern of interests, (R2) compulsive adherence to non-functional routines or rituals, (R3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms, (R4) preoccupations with parts of objects or non-functional elements of materials, (R5*) hyper-or-hypo-reactivity to sensory input (symptom new to DSM-5). Red = Social/communication; Blue = Play/peer; Yellow = RRBI; Green = Resistance to change; Purple = Repetitive sensory motor behaviours (Color figure online)

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Shuster, J., Perry, A., Bebko, J. et al. Review of Factor Analytic Studies Examining Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 90–110 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1854-3

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