SPECTRA-CI: A Zero-Redundancy Semi-Structured Clinical Interview with Performance Tasks for Neurodivergence Differential Assessment — Pilot Feasibility Study

# SPECTRA-CI: A Zero-Redundancy Semi-Structured Clinical Interview with Performance Tasks for Neurodivergence Differential Assessment — Pilot Feasibility Study ## Authors - **Unknown** — ORCID: [0000-0001-8815-7309](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8815-7309) - **Lenifer Siqueira Landim** — ORCID: [0009-0000-9305-1250](https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9305-1250) - **Charlene Coleman** — ORCID: [0009-0004-5829-4854](https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5829-4854) ## Abstract Background: Differential assessment of autism and ADHD in adults relies on instruments such as the ADOS-2 and DIVA, which are costly and limited in Portuguese-speaking settings. Quantitative tools capture traits but cannot assess live reciprocity, switching under ambiguity, or dissociation between performance and internal experience. Objective: To describe the development and pilot feasibility of SPECTRA-CI, a zero-redundancy semi-structured clinical interview with performance tasks. Methods: SPECTRA-CI v3.1 includes three application modes (A/B/C), 15 performance tasks, a 12-item Retrospective Childhood Module (MRI), and a structured Evidence Record (RE) system with standardized flags. A simulated feasibility set (N=33) combined de-identified therapeutic-report-derived cases (n=10) and synthetic archetypal profiles (n=23). Codable components were rated by the primary clinician; tasks requiring live observation were recorded as not administered. Results: The sample yielded a mean of 7.1 REs per case. The most frequent flags were AHSD indicator (51.5%), masking detected (45.5%), and late diagnosis (39.4%). Mean estimated application time was 165.8 minutes. The retrospective protocol captured clinically meaningful patterns while transparently excluding live-administered tasks. Conclusions: SPECTRA-CI v3.1 is feasible to code retrospectively and produces structured clinical evidence complementary to quantitative instruments. Prospective validation against gold-standard interviews is required before diagnostic claims can be made. ## Contents | File | Description | |------|-------------| | `MANUSCRIPT.md` | | | `MANUSCRIPT.pdf` | | | `README_OSF.md` | | | `COVER_LETTER.md` | | | `HIGHLIGHTS.md` | | | `RETROSPECTIVE_CODING_PROTOCOL.md` | | | `generate_pilot_dataset.py` | | ## License CC-BY 4.0 ## Preprint Registered on psyarxiv: [DOI to be assigned] --- *Repository created by neuratip-preprint-agent on 2026-07-17*