Reliability and validity of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Tokyo version (CARS-TV)

Abstract

A Japanese translation of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (the Tokyo version of the CARS, CARS-TV) was used with 167 developmentally disabled children under age 16. Cronbach's coefficient alpha was .87. The interrater reliability (r) for each of the 15 scales based on 128 children ranged from .43 to .77 with an average of .62. Based on the 167 children, the total CARS-TV score demonstrated a satisfactory level of taxonomic validity (Thorndike, 1982) on DSM-III diagnostic groups. The total score discriminated infantile autism and other pervasive developmental disorders more efficiently from mental retardation without an additional diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder than an IQ. The total score also showed a satisfactory concurrent validity on the overall rating of autism.

Genetic correlation between autistic traits and IQ in a population-based sample of twins with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)

“…The CARS is a behaviorbased observer-rating scale with demonstrated reliability and validity in Japanese populations. 21 The CARS comprises 15 items, which are rated from one to four, with a score of one indicating age-appropriate behavior and a score of four representing severely abnormal behavior. During a pilot period, 19 individuals were scored independently by two raters (TN and SS) who were trained extensively in CARS scoring and were blind to the individuals' names, ages, diagnoses and zygosity information.…”

Autismo infantil: tradução e validação da Childhood Autism Rating Scale para uso no Brasil

“…10,24 The Swedish version had an alpha of 0.91 22 and Cronbach's alpha for the Japanese version was 0.87. 21,25 After each patient had been evaluated for each of the 15 items, their total score was calculated. Approximately 32% (19) of the patients studied here were classified as having mild-to-moderate autism, and 65% (39) of the patients met the criterion for severe autism.…”

Genetic influences on the broad spectrum of autism: Study of proband‐ascertained twins

“…The Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Tokyo Version (CARS-TV) is an objective, behaviorally based rating scale with demonstrated reliability and validity in Japanese [Kurita et al, 1989]. The CARS comprises 15 items; relationships with people, imitation, affect, use of body, relation to non-human objects, adaptation to environmental change, visual responsiveness, auditory responsiveness, near receptor responsiveness, anxiety reaction, verbal communication, non-verbal communication, activity level, intellectual functioning, and general impressions, rated ranging from one to four with a score of one indicating age-appropriate behavior and a score of four representing severely abnormal behavior with subunits of 0.5.…”