Principal Investigator(s):
Julia Duran
Grant Type:
Graduate Research
Funding:
$1,990
Organization:
Idaho State University
Year Awarded:
2026
Status:
In Progress
Location:
Pocatello, Idaho
Topics:
Miscellaneous
Abstract
A substantial number of autistic adults remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to assessment tools developed primarily for children, validated in narrow samples, or grounded in outdated diagnostic criteria. Existing adult self-report measures demonstrate limited sensitivity, specificity, and psychometric robustness, particularly among intellectually able adults, women, and gender diverse individuals. Consequently, there is a critical need for a comprehensive, developmentally informed adult autism questionnaire that reflects changes across adulthood and captures gender related differences in presentation.
The current project will refine and validate the Autism Traits & Lived Experience Scale (ATLES), a novel adult autism self-report measure developed by autistic researchers. The primary aims are to: (1) establish robust psychometric properties using a hybrid analytic approach integrating Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT), including item analyses, internal consistency, factor structure, convergent validity, and diagnostic accuracy; (2) examine gender related differences and measurement invariance; and (3) evaluate clinical utility in outpatient differential diagnosis settings. This multi-site clinical validation study will produce a psychometrically sound, gender affirming, and neuro-affirming adult autism measure that addresses longstanding gaps in assessment. The resulting tool has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce misdiagnosis, and expand access to essential services for autistic adults who are currently overlooked by existing instruments.
