Early Dyadic Communication Lab

The objective of this project was to catalog the translation methods and psychometric properties of parent- and self-report autism measures that are available for clinical or research use in the Spanish language.

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We conducted a literature search via 9 databases, using terms such as “autism,” “translation,” “assessment,” and “Spanish.” We compiled a list of instruments with Spanish translations using these searches, similar Google Scholar searches, and publishing company websites. Additional sources of data included grey literature, instrument manuals, and direct communication with publishing companies and original instrument developers in order to catalog translation methodology and psychometric data for each identified instrument.

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Results indicated that translations made prior to around the year 2010 typically followed the traditional forward-back methodology. Instrument developers often failed to re-assess psychometric properties in Spanish-speaking samples for these translations. When psychometric properties were re-assessed, high standards were not frequently maintained. Translations made after around the year 2010 more frequently included more rigorous quality checking or cultural adaptation approaches, such as multiple translators, expert review panels, and qualitative pre-testing. Additionally, re-assessment of psychometric properties was more common among these translations, with translations meeting higher levels of standards. It should also be noted that most instruments with translations use the Spain dialect of Spanish, with some translations designed specifically for Latin American dialects, such as US-based Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Chilean Spanish, and Argentine Spanish. Translations and norming studies are extremely limited, if not absent, in other Latin American dialects. A total of 68 sources of information were reviewed, which included data on 21 parent-report or self-report instruments used to screen for or diagnose autism, and a total of 48 unique translations of these instruments. Specific descriptions of translations methods and observed psychometric properties, in English and Spanish, for each tool and translation, can be found in the link below.

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Recent trends have resulted in increased availability of Spanish-language parent- and self-report measures of autism symptomatology, including tools that were developed using rigorous cultural adaptation approaches and that meet high psychometric standards. However, additional areas of need remain. Specifically, many early translations lacking in rigor are still in use, despite no evidence of high-quality psychometric properties. Additionally, there is a critical need for more instruments to be translated for Latin American contexts.