title: Factor structure evaluation of the childhood autism rating scale.
abstract: This study investigated the factor structure of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Principal components analysis (PCA) and principal axis factor analysis (PAF) evaluated archival data from children presenting to a university clinic with suspected autism spectrum disorders (ASDs; N = 164). PCA did not replicate components identified by DiLalla and Rogers (1994, Domains of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Relevance for diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(2), 115-128) and Stella, Mundy, and Tuchman (1999, Social and nonsocial factors in the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29(4), 307-317). PAF identified correlated Social-Communication, Social Interaction, Stereotypies and Sensory Abnormalities, and Emotional Regulation factors. Results differed across studies; however, each identified ASD related constructs conceptually consistent with DSM-IV. Although its development predates the DSM-IV, and many newer measures are available, the CARS' psychometric properties, conceptual relevance, and flexible administration procedures support its continued use as a screening device in the diagnostic decision-making process.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. caroline_magyar@urmc.rochester.edu
authors: Caroline I
authors: CI
authors: Magyar
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Pandolfi
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires