Social Relationships Study- 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Discriminating symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder via structured observation: the development of a clinical diagnostic tool.
IRAS ID
211514
Contact name
Claire Davidson
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and children with Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) may have overlapping symptoms of social relationship and communication problems, making diagnosis, on occasions, very difficult. However accurate diagnosis is essential, not only for correct treatment but because DSED is caused by maltreatment and ASD is NOT. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with strong links to genetics. It is imperative that parents of children with ASD are not falsely accused of causing ASD. Nevertheless, children with ASD may also be more vulnerable to maltreatment, further complicating the picture. We have completed two previous studies which have highlighted some important differences in the interaction and social communication of children with DSED compared to children with ASD. Our statistical analysis demonstrated that structured observation was the best assessment tool that highlighted these differences. The current study aims to draw on these findings, and to carry out further investigation, in order to develop a new structured observation assessment tool that focuses on the differences between the two groups; the purpose of which is to help clinicians make accurate differential diagnoses between ASD and DSED. This will be particularly of use where symptoms are more subtle or where a maltreatment background may exist but a diagnosis of ASD or DSED is unclear.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
16/WS/0234
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion