Sensitivity and Expected Change of Commonly Used Social Communication Measures in Longitudinal Research of Young Autistic Children

Social communication measures used to track change in autistic children have not undergone rigorous psychometric evaluation. There is little data on their expected change or sensitivity to change. Meta-analytic techniques were used to examine sensitivity to change and expected change over time and whether these are influenced by factors like children's age and the presence of intervention. Pooled effect sizes were generated within measures, rather than within broader constructs. Change over time was small to medium, although there was variability. Most outcomes were not sensitive to change over time. Change in some measures was influenced by child characteristics and methodological characteristics of included studies such as study quality and the method of scoring measures (e.g., using age-equivalents versus standard scores). Tests measuring similar constructs can vary in their expected change, and so care is needed when selecting them.