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C.a.R.S (1) Sumbl
C.a.R.S (1) Sumbl
C.a.R.S (1) Sumbl
iii. Treatment Planning: Another objective of the CARS test is to aid in the development of
individualized treatment plans for children with ASD. By identifying the specific areas of
impairment and strengths in each child, clinicians can tailor interventions to address their
unique needs effectively.
iv. Monitoring Progress: The CARS test facilitates the monitoring of a child's progress
over time. By conducting periodic assessments using the scale, clinicians can track
changes in symptoms, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and make adjustments
to treatment plans as needed.
v. Research: The CARS test is also used in research settings to study various aspects of
ASD, including prevalence, etiology, and treatment outcomes. By providing a
standardized measure of ASD symptoms, the scale allows researchers to compare
findings across studies and populations.
Response Recording
Response recording in the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) test involves trained
clinicians observing and rating a child's behaviors across various domains relevant to autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a scale of 1 to 4 for each of the 15 items, observers document
the frequency, intensity, and quality of behaviors observed. These ratings are then totaled to
calculate an overall score, which aids in diagnosing ASD, assessing symptom severity, and
guiding treatment planning.
Administration
Test materials
The test materials required for conducting the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
assessment include the CARS manual for guidance on administering the test, observation forms
for recording behaviors across the 15 items, standardized rating scales to quantify symptom
severity, consent forms for parental authorization, a suitable observation setting free from
distractions, and training materials for assessors to ensure consistency. Additionally, familiarity
with diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for accurate interpretation
of assessment results, enabling clinicians to gather comprehensive information and make
informed diagnostic and treatment decisions.
Demographic information of the client
Name S.S.
Age 24
Education BS
No of Siblings 3
Scoring and interpretation
3
Scoring the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) involves evaluating the child's
behavior across 15 items, each rated on a 4-point scale from 1 (indicating typical behavior) to 4
(indicating severe impairment). Trained evaluators observe the child's social interactions,
communication skills, and repetitive behaviors, assigning scores based on their observations.
After rating each item, the scores are totaled to yield an overall score reflecting the severity of
the child's autistic symptoms. Higher total scores indicate more pronounced impairment, while
lower scores suggest milder symptoms or typical development. It's essential for evaluators to
consider the child's behavior across various settings and gather information from multiple
sources, such as parents, teachers, and caregivers, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
Quantitative Scoring
Table 1.
Sub-scales Score range Scores Severity level
Relating to people 1-4 2 Mildly abnormal
relationship
Imitation 1-4 2 Mildly abnormal
imitation
Emotional response 1-4 3 Moderately
emotional response
Body use 1-4 2 Mildly abnormal
body use
Object use 1-4 3 Moderately
abnormal interest or
use of objects
Adaptation to change 1-4 1 Age appropriate
response to change
Visual response 1-4 1 Age appropriate
visual response
Listening response 1-4 1 Age appropriate
listening response
Taste, smell, and 3 Moderately
touch response and use 1-4 abnormal
touch,smell and
taste response
Fear or nervousness 1-4 4 Age appropriate
fear or nervousness
Verbal communication 1-4 1 Age appropriate
verbal
communication
Non verbal 1 Age appropriate non
communication 1-4 verbal
communication
Activity level 1-4 2 Mildly abnormal
activity level
4
Qualitative Interpretation
The table indicates varied scores across different sub-scales of functioning. While many
aspects such as adaptation to change, visual response, listening response, verbal communication,
and general impressions fall within the normal range, there are mild to moderate impairments in
emotional response, body use, object use, taste, smell, and touch response, as well as in non-
verbal communication and activity level. Overall, the total score falls within the normal range,
suggesting a generally functional level of behavior, but with some areas of mild to moderate
concern warranting attention and potential intervention.
Reference
1. Ozonoff, S, Boodlin-Jones, B, & Solomon, M. (2005). Evidence-based assessment of
Autism Spectrum Disorder in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and
Adolescent Psychology, 34, 523-540.