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Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
Availability
Please visit this website for more information about the instrument: Please click here for the Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Classification
Supplemental
Short Description of Instrument
Purpose: Aids in identifying children with autism and to determine symptom severity.
 
Description: The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is a 15-item rating scale that helps distinguish children with autism from children, who are handicapped but not autistic, as well as distinguishing between mild-moderate and severe autism. It can be used by educators and clinicians and is rated on a 7-point scale using direct behavior observation. The CARS can be used with children above the age of 2 years.
 
Comment: The assessment can be used by clinicians, school psychologists, speech pathologists, special educators, and audiologists. It draws from five prominent systems used in diagnosing autism.
 
Primary Dependent Measures: Total score evaluated against a cut-off point.
 
Time Estimates: 5-10 minutes
 
Vendor: Western Psychological Services (WPS). 12031 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025-1251. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
 
References
Schopler E, Reichler RJ, DeVellis RF, Daly K. Toward objective classification of childhood autism: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 1980; 10(1): 91-103.

 

Document last updated February 2018