Fatty Acid Supplementation in Children With ASD (Study 2)

Change in PDDBI Autism Composite raw score. This scale measures the severity and nature of autism symptoms. Autism Composite raw scores range -31 to 262. Higher scores indicate greater severity. We omitted the Semantic/Pragmatic Problems subscale from the calculation of the PDD autism composite raw score because including that subscale penalizes children who are nonverbal at baseline but gain language during the study.

Change in adaptive behavior composite score. These are raw scores. Each one is a sum of its component subdomain raw scores. Lower scores indicate lower adaptive level. Scores range 0-634.

Change in PDDBI Aggressiveness Problems raw score. Aggressiveness domain looks at self-directed aggressive behaviors, incongruous negative affect, problems when caregiver returns from an outing, aggressiveness towards others, and overall temperament problems. Aggressiveness raw scores range from 0-60; higher scores are indicative of more aggressiveness.

Changes in Auditory Comprehension raw score. Higher scores represent better child comprehension of language. Raw scores range 0-65 for Auditory Comprehension.

Changes in Continuous Total (raw) Score. (higher scores indicate greater symptoms) Range 15-60.

The Autism Impact Measure is a newly developed instrument for measuring change in Autism Spectrum Disorder related behaviors. (Houghton, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2019). The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Total Score represents the overall level of autism symptom impact across all measured domains, incorporating both the frequency and impact of symptoms. The possible range of raw scores for the AIM Total is 41 to 410. This scale measures the global severity and pervasiveness of autism-related behaviors, with higher scores indicating greater symptom impact and worse functioning, and lower scores reflecting fewer symptoms and better functioning.

Changes in Expressive Communication raw score. Higher scores represent better child ability to communicate with others. Raw scores range 0-67.

Changes in Total Language raw score (sum of Auditory Comprehension and Expressive Communication raw scores). Higher scores represent better communication ability. Raw scores range 0-131.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Repetitive Behavior Score assesses repetitive movements, rituals, and restricted interests, capturing both how often these behaviors occur and how much they affect daily life. The possible range of raw scores for this scale is 16 to 80. It measures the frequency and impact of repetitive behaviors, with higher scores reflecting more frequent and disruptive behaviors and poorer functioning.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Communication Score evaluates expressive and receptive communication skills, taking into account both the frequency of communication challenges and their impact on functioning. The possible range of raw scores for this scale is 12 to 60. It measures how effectively an individual communicates, with higher scores indicating greater communication difficulties and worse functioning.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Atypical Behavior Score captures unusual sensory responses, emotional regulation difficulties, and other atypical behaviors, assessing both how often these behaviors occur and how much they interfere with daily life. The possible range of raw scores for this scale is 12 to 60. It measures the presence and impact of atypical behaviors, with higher scores indicating more frequent or intense atypical behaviors and poorer functioning.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Social Reciprocity Score assesses social engagement, emotional responsiveness, and reciprocal interactions, considering both the frequency and impact of social difficulties. The possible range of raw scores for this scale is 10 to 50. It measures social responsiveness and connectedness, with higher scores indicating greater social difficulty and worse functioning.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM) Peer Interaction Score evaluates social interest, initiation, and quality of interactions with peers, capturing both how often behaviors occur and how impactful they are. The possible range of raw scores for this scale is 8 to 40. It measures the child's ability to interact appropriately with peers, with higher scores indicating more challenges in peer relationships and worse functioning. for this scale is 10 to 50. Higher scores indicating greater social difficulty and worse functioning.

Change in communication score. These are raw scores. Each one is a sum of its component subdomain raw scores. Lower scores indicate lower adaptive level. Scores range 0-148.

Change in socialization score. These are raw scores. Each one is a sum of its component subdomain raw scores. Lower scores indicate lower adaptive level. Scores range 0-174.