CARS 2
Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Social/Emotional Test
Authors: Eric Schopler, Ph.D., Mary E. Van Bourgondien, Ph.D., G. Janette Wellman, Ph.D. and Steven R. Love, Ph.D.
Publisher & Copywright:
Western Psychological Services / 2010
First Addition was originally formatted & published in 1988
Age Level of Examinees:
2 years & older
Skills & Concepts Measured
Social-Emotional Understanding
A cognitive understanding of others' communication, behaviors and differing perspectives.
Emotional Expression and Regulation of Emotions
The capacity of which one can express their feelings and regulate one's emotions
Relating to People
One's ability to develop direct interpersonal interactions and the person's expression and reaction to another person
Body Use
Looks at grossly deviant body movements and also subtler forms of fine motor and coordination problems
Object Use in Play
The person's interest in and use of objects and to what degree the person engages in imaginative symbolic play and how toys figures are used as agents
Adaptions to Change
Difficulty coping with change, ritualistic behaviors, and restricted special interests.
Visual Response
Measures visual fascinations, the ease with which the person can shift visual attention, and the degree to which the person's eye contact is integrated with actions
Listening Response
Based on the person's response to sounds and how the listening response is coordinated with the use of other senses.
Taste, Smell, and Touch Response and Use
Addresses the person's response to stimulation of the near receptors of taste, smell touch and pain
Fear or Anxiety
The degree to which the person has unusual fear or anxiety compared to what is appropriate for the situation or context
Verbal Communication
Assesses two facets of the person's speech and language skills - verbal oddities - and the ability to carry on a reciprocal conversation
Nonverbal Communication
Focuses on the use of and the response to nonverbal cues including one's ability to regulate and understand interactions and the use of facial experessions
Thinking/Cognitive Integration Skills
The person's ability to understand the meaning of larger concepts and the ability of the person to integrate relevant details into a meaningful overview
Level and Consistency of Intellectual Response
Concerned with the discrepancies in and consistency of the individual's skills across different areas
General Impressions
Overall rating of autism based on your subjective impression of the degree to which the person has autism as defined by the other items
Requirements for Testing
Time Required: The observational portion of the testing happens over an extended period of time during which all 15 of the behavior standards need to be seen and assessed. The scoring portion only takes 5-10 minutes once all data is collected.
Qualifications of Examiner: Anyone who has had exposure to and training in autism with brief training on how to make valid ratings for the 15 behaviors measured can administer the test. Examples of this are:
- Physicians
- Special Educators
- School Psychologists
- Speech Pathologists
- Audiologists
Test Materials: Manual, CARS2 - Standard Test Rating Booklet, CARS2 - High Functioning Rating Booklet, CARS2 Parental Questionnaire
Scoring & Results
Methods of Scoring: Hand Written Scores & Calculations are acquired
Basal/Ceiling Guidelines: No Basal or Ceiling rules apply to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale since the "test" is based on information acquired through direct observation.
Types of Scores Obtained:
- Raw Score - Calculated through the Categorical Ratings of all 15 Behaviors
- Standard Score or T-Score - Obtained through a table that pairs the Raw Score provided with the T-Score
Reflection
- It was easier for me to get my point across
- It allowed me to be creative and add my own personal touch to an assignment
- Did not frustrate me the way writing a paper would
- It was easier for me to keep myself organized
- Was quicker and more efficient method of displaying information than writing a paper is
- It is more engaging, and therefore a more effective way to communicate information
- It was fun!