Review of the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale.

The Asperger's Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (2001) was reviewed to determine it's reliability, validity, and clinical utility in the diagnostic process for pervasive developmental disorder, specifically Asperger's syndrome. Concerns were raised about validity of the instrument, population upon which the instrument was normed, capability of the instrument to provide accurate differential diagnoses, and properties of the scale. The measure was determined to hold promise as a research tool, but there appears to be little evidence that it can distinguish among the various types of pervasive developmental disorder or diagnosis Asperger syndrome specifically.