Beyond Discrete Classifications: A Computational Approach to the Continuum of Cognition and Behavior in Children

Psychiatry is undergoing a shift toward precision medicine, demanding personalized approaches that capture the complexity of cognition and behavior. Here, we introduce a novel referential of four robust, replicable, and generalizable cognitive and behavioral profiles. These were derived from the most prominent pediatric cohort (n=10,843) and validated in two independent cohorts (n=195 and n=271). We demonstrate the profiles’ longitudinal stability and consistency with clinical diagnoses while exposing critical discrepancies across parent-reported, youth-reported, and expert-derived diagnoses. Beyond validation, we showcase the real-world utility of our approach by linking profiles to environmental factors, revealing associations between parental influences and youths’ cognition and behavior. Our fuzzy profiling framework moves beyond discrete classification, offering a powerful tool to refine psychiatric evaluation and intervention. We provide an open-source framework, enabling researchers and clinicians to fast-track implementation and foster a data-driven, domain-based approach to diagnosis. Our findings advocate for broadening the scope of psychiatric assessment.