Evaluations

Instruments Used

Professionals

References

Discussion

 


 

The following are assessments or evaluations which can be helpful in the identification of children with autism or those with autistic tendencies.  The selection of these tests should be decided by the IEP team, which is made up of professionals familiar with autistic disorders.  The level of suspected functioning will be a determining factor in the selection of appropriate tests.

A. Adaptive Behavior/ Developmental Abilities

Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning (2nd ed.) (ASIEP-2):
The ASIEP-2 assesses behavior in five areas including Sensory, Relating, Body Concept, Language and Social Self-Help.  This assessment can help with planning for individuals with autism or that show autistic characteristics between the ages of eighteen months and adulthood.

Adult/Adolescent Psychoeducational Profile (AAPEP):
This assessment is a continuation of the PEP-R used for adolescents and adults.

Psychoeducational Profile (PEP-R): 
The PEP-R assists professionals in taking an inventory of behaviors and skills including imitation, perception, fine and gross motor skills, eye-hand integration, cognitive performance and cognitive verbal areas.  This inventory is taken through play-based assessment and interaction.  It indicates degrees of unusual behaviors in play, interest, sensory responses and language development.  This test is given to individuals functioning below preschool development.  This test is given from ages six months to seven years.

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS):
VABS can be given by interviewing the individual's teacher, parent or caregivers.  Scales range from birth to nineteen years of age.  Scores are given in communication, daily living skills, socialization, motor skills and maladaptive behaviors. Interviews with multiple sources may provide a more accurate picture.

B. Intellectual/Achievement Assessments

Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WPPSI-III, WISC-IV, WAIS-III):
These intelligence tests give indications of IQ based on verbal and non-verbal subtests.  Word activities, puzzle-like activities and problem-solving skills are used to determine verbal and performance IQ scores.  The WPPSI-III is for preschool age children.  The WISC-III is used for ages 6-16 and the WAIS-III is used for ages 16-89.  

Woodcock Johnson III Cognitive/Achievement (WJ-III):
The WJ-III Cognitive and Achievement test is used with ages 2-90+. The WJ-III Cognitive measures comprehension-knowledge, visual-spatial thinking, long-term retrieval, short-term memory, fluid reasoning, auditory processing, and processing speed.  The WJ-III Achievement is a measure of reading, writing, listening comprehension, oral comprehension, math and academic skills.  

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-II (WIAT-II):
The WIAT-II is an achievement test used with ages 4 to 80+ years.

Stanford-Binet V

Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised:
The Leiter is a nonverbal IQ test which covers visual abilities, spatial abilities and a small amount of language-based reasoning.  
Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT):
The UNIT is a nonverbal IQ test used to measure the intelligence of children ages 5-17.  It is a language-free test that measures memory and reasoning skills.  

C. Behavior Rating Scales

Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R):  
ADI-R is an evaluation based on a diagnostic interview given to the caregivers of a child.  The assessment takes several hours to administer and to score.  It can be given at home or in a clinic.

Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC):  
BASC is used to determine psychological disorders in children and adolescents.  This test has a parent rating scale, teacher rating scale and a self-report of personality (when applicable).  This test is used with children ages 4-18.  Each scale takes 30 minutes to complete.  

Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS):
CARS is a Behavior Rating Scale that covers characteristics, abilities and behaviors.  Using a seven point scale the intensity of the behavior is marked in different areas based on observations, parent reports and other important records.  The scores are summed and individual ratings are given.  If a certain score is reached, then the child is categorized as autistic.  This test can be used with children over two years of age.

Checklist for Autism in Toddler (CHAT): 
CHAT is a screening instrument that is used to determine main autistic characteristics through use of pointing, gaze monitoring and imaginative play.  CHAT is used for early detection.

Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS):
GARS is used to determine the severity of autism in people ages three through twenty-two years of age.  Four subtests are given including stereotyped behaviors, communication, social interaction and developmental disturbances.  The scale takes five to ten minutes to fill out by caretakers of the individual.  

 


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Copyright, 2003
The Burkhart Project

 Carol Layton, Ed.D and Robin Lock, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University