Dataset Information

Analysis of Race and Sex Bias in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).

ABSTRACT:

Importance

There are long-standing disparities in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across race and sex. Surprisingly, few studies have examined whether these disparities arise partially out of systematic biases in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), the reference standard measure of ASD.

Objective

To examine differential item functioning (DIF) of ADOS-2 items across sex and race.

Design, setting, and participants

This is a cross-sectional study of children who were evaluated for ASD between 2014 and 2020 at a specialty outpatient clinic located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to February 2022.