title: Assessment of global functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: utility of the Developmental Disability-Child Global Assessment Scale.
abstract: Assessment of global functioning is an important consideration in treatment outcome research; yet, there is little guidance on its evidence-based assessment for children with autism spectrum disorders. This study investigated the utility and validity of clinician-rated global functioning using the Developmental Disability-Child Global Assessment Scale in a sample of higher functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid anxiety disorders enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (n = 30). Pretreatment Developmental Disability-Child Global Assessment Scale scores correlated with severity of autism spectrum disorders core symptoms (r = -.388, p = .034), pragmatic communication (r = .407, p = .032), and verbal ability (r = .449, p = .013) and did not correlate with severity of anxiety symptoms or with parent-reported adaptive behavior. Change in Developmental Disability-Child Global Assessment Scale scores during treatment was associated with autism spectrum disorders symptomatic improvement (r = .414, p = .040) and with improved general communication (r = .499, p = .013). Results support the importance of assessing global functioning in addition to symptom change and treatment response in clinical trials.
authors: Virginia Tech, USA.
authors: Susan W
authors: SW
authors: White
authors: Laura A
authors: LA
authors: Smith
authors: Amie R
authors: AR
authors: Schry
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: adolescents; autism; global functioning; treatment