Development And Psychometric Validation of the Profile of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (Pons) Scale for Efficient Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Screening
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Abstract
PONS is a short, accurate and reliable tool used to check a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. Developed with extensive expert input and user feedback, PONS assesses key domains including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, psychoses, personality dysfunction, anxiety, and depression within a 10-minute timeframe. Implemented via the HealthTracker™ platform, it offers online accessibility and developmental-age adaptation, facilitating efficient clinical assessment and remote monitoring. The tool proved to be reliable (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.96), had a suitable factor structure and helped in distinguishing between patients and the general population. The PONS scale supports timely symptom identification, AI-assisted triage, and improved patient management. While certain limitations exist, including sample size and normative data scope, PONS represents a significant advancement in pediatric neuropsychiatric assessment. Future research should focus on validation across diverse populations and longitudinal sensitivity to symptom changes.
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References
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