# Modifying and validating the K-CAT mental health scales for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum

> **NIH NIH R44** · ADAPTIVE TESTING TECHNOLOGIES · 2024 · $427,986

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Mental health conditions are highly prevalent in the autism population but, due in part to the complexity of
assessment, often go undetected and therefore unaddressed. Available tools are insufficient, as many were
developed for use with the general population, do not include both youth and caregiver report versions, or are
limited to the assessment of a single construct. Given the absence of an effective assessment measure,
evaluating mental health conditions in autism is time-intensive and often requires a high level of training and
expertise. The proposed study aims to remedy this deficiency by: (1) evaluating the psychometric properties of
the K-CAT® with youth on the autism spectrum; and (2) identifying and addressing areas in need of
modification to develop a reliable, valid, and acceptable K-CAT® Autism Version. The proposed study consists
of two phases. In the first phase, we will examine the differential item functioning, convergent validity, and
acceptability of the existing K-CAT® for use with autistic children and adolescents. In the second phase, we will
modify the existing K-CAT® to develop and validate the K-CAT® Autism Version. To accomplish this, in Phase
I, we will recruit 150 youth/caregiver dyads to complete the existing K-CAT® as well as three additional
measures for psychometric evaluation. We will use mixed methods to examine acceptability and identify areas
in need of modification with a subsample of youth, caregivers, and autism clinicians. In Phase II, we will modify
the K-CAT® with input from youth, caregivers, and clinicians and recruit 350 youth/caregiver dyads from clinical
sites across the US (see letters confirming participation) to complete the K-CAT® Autism Version and an
accompanying assessment battery for validation. Eligible youth must be 7-17 years old, English speaking,
have a documented diagnosis of autism and an IQ over 70. The assessment battery will include the parent and
child K-CAT® Autism Version and the parent and child KSADS-COMP as well as several additional measures
included in previous psychometric analyses of the existing K-CAT®. Results of the validation assessment
battery will be reviewed, and diagnoses confirmed by licensed clinicians with expertise in autism blind to
K-CAT® Autism Version scores. These assessments will be used to examine the psychometric properties of
the K-CAT® Autism Version in evaluating underlying co-occurring diagnoses assessed (i.e., major depressive
disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder,
conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder). The newly developed, reliable, valid, feasible and
acceptable K-CAT® Autism Version will significantly improve the identification of mental health symptoms in
autistic youth, facilitating earlier receipt of evidence-based services and potentially preventing the adverse
outcomes associated with untreated mental health needs in this popu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11005450
- **Project number:** 1R44MH138162-01
- **Recipient organization:** ADAPTIVE TESTING TECHNOLOGIES
- **Principal Investigator:** Paige Elizabeth Cervantes
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $427,986
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-11 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11005450

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11005450, Modifying and validating the K-CAT mental health scales for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum (1R44MH138162-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-16 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11005450. Licensed CC0.

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