How interview questions are placed in time influences caregiver description of social communication symptoms on the ADI-R.

Background: Caregiver report is crucial for the diagnosis of childhood onset psychiatric disorders, particularly autism. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether caregiver reports of past and current behaviors are affected by question timing and ordering.

Methods: Using the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R), two studies systematically varied the order in which caregivers were asked about behaviors.