Group Differences in Developmental Domains: A Retrospective Comparative Study Based on Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory Subscales

Aim: Specific language impairment (SLI), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and general developmental delay (GDD) are common diagnoses for speech delay in children under the age of six. These disorders may show differences in areas of development. This study aimed to compare Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) subscale results among the three groups.Material and Methods: 2926 patient records were reviewed, and 602 patients who were first-time applicants and had a full ADSI result, diagnosed with SLI, ASD, and GDD, were included in the study.Results: SLI developmental results were found to be higher than ASD and GDD in all domains, and no significant difference was found between ASD and GDD except in the gross motor domain. When ages were divided into intervals, it was found that in children aged 0-23 months, all developmental domains were lower in the GDD group, but there was no difference between SLI and ASD. SLI developmental results were found to be higher than ASD and GDD in all developmental domains, and no significant difference was found between ASD and GDD in the other four age intervals including children aged 24-71 months.Conclusions: Although showing some variations according to age ranges, ADSI developmental domains in the SLI group differed from those in other groups. To clarify the potential distinguishing features of ADSI, further prospective studies using formal diagnostic performance analyses are required.