Examination and validation of a measure of anxiety specific to children with autism spectrum disorders

Author： Rieske Robert D. Matson Johnny L. Davis Thompson E. Konst Matthew J. Williams Lindsey W. Whiting Sara E.

ISSN： 1751-8423

Source： Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Vol.16, Iss.1, 2013-02, pp. : 9-16

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Abstract

Objective: Investigated the use of a combined scale (Worry/Depressed and Avoidant scales) from the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Children (ASD-CC) as a measure of anxiety. Alternative methods of measuring anxiety were examined using the ASD-CC in an ASD population.Methods: Participants included 147 children, age 2-16 years, evincing a mixture of behavior problems. Comparisons between scores on the ASD-CC and Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) were examined to determine the most efficacious method of measuring anxiety and to establish convergent and discriminant validity.Results: The worry/depressed subscale was the most effective subscale of the ASD-CC to measure anxiety with proven incremental validity over the combined scale.Conclusion: The worry/depressed subscale is the best measure of anxiety utilizing the ASD-CC in children with an ASD. Additionally, convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing the scale with similar and dissimilar scales of the BASC-2.