Afrikaans autism diagnostic observation schedule-2 : translation and cultural appropriateness for the coloured population from low-middle socioeconomic backgrounds living in the Western Cape

Abstract

One of the key needs in diagnostic practice for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa is to generate acceptable and valid diagnostic tools for use in the official languages of the country. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) is the "gold standard" diagnostic tool for ASD and it is increasingly used in South Africa. However, its use is limited to English-speakers, as the tool has not been translated into any of South Africa's commonly spoken languages. Moreover, the cultural appropriateness of this tool for the local cultures of South Africa has not been explored. Consequently, this study translated the ADOS-2 into Afrikaans and assessed its cultural appropriateness for the coloured population from low-middle SES backgrounds residing in the Western Cape by using a mixed method approach. Three components associated with method bias were investigated to determine the cultural appropriateness of the tool for this population; the language used in the Afrikaans translation of the ADOS-2, the social interactions and activities in the ADOS-2, and the ADOS-2 materials. The Afrikaans ADOS-2 was pre-piloted in a clinical sample and an ethnographic investigation of play, social interaction, and social activities was conducted in a community sample. The data regarding play collected from the community sample is new to literature on this population.