title: Factor Analysis of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale in a Sample of Two Year Olds with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), (Schopler et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 10(1):91-103, 1980) is a 15-item observation-based rating scale that yields a total score reflective of autism symptom severity. This study investigated the factor structure of the CARS in a sample of 2-year-old children with DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association in Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Publishing, Washington, 2000) diagnoses of AD or PDD-NOS. Following a preliminary internal cross-validation, principal axis factor analysis was completed (N = 282). The results indicate a three-factor solution: Social Communication, Stereotyped Behaviors and Sensory Sensitivities, and Emotional Reactivity. The factors are meaningful, with the first two reflective of DSM-5 symptom domains. This study supports the continued relevance of the CARS in ASD assessment, and extends its utility in 2-year-old children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. Emily.Moulton@uconn.edu.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5952-6363
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moulton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fein
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D012677:Sensation; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
keywords: ASD assessment; CARS; Factor analysis