Translation and Validation of the ‘Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism’ on a Sinhala-Speaking Population of 3- to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha Districts

Abstract

There is a significant need for appropriate culturally sensitive, standardized screening tools in many countries including Sri Lanka for the accurate identification of ASD which leads to specific interventions and good prognosis. The study’s aim was to investigate psychometric properties by translating and validating the Indian Scale for the Identification of Autism on a Sinhala-speaking population of 3 to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha districts to increase the efficiency and quick screening of autism in routine clinics. The methodology included the systematic forward and backward translation, Delphi process and data collection from clinical and non-clinical samples from Sinhala speaking parents of 3- to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha districts. The study had a good internal consistency reliability measured through Cronbach’s alpha of .927. There was high sensitivity and specificity measures whereby a cutoff score of 68 was ensured through the Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve. Overall, the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism is suitable to be used in routine clinics in Colombo and Gampaha districts.