Parent Questionnaires in the Evaluation of Pre-School Children Referred for Neuropsychiatric Assessment

J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Apr;52(4):1742-1751. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05080-y. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

One-hundred twenty-four pre-school children referred for assessment to a neuropsychiatric team were included in this study of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), ESSENCE-Q, and Conners Abbreviated Parent-Teacher Rating Scale (CAPRS). All three questionnaires showed a good correlation towards severity of symptoms in ASD. The ABC questionnaire was, as has been shown in earlier research less accurate in identifying individuals with ASD having an IQ within the normal range. However the ESSENCE-Q, and the CAPRS proved to identify children with difficulties needing further assessment regardless of intellectual ability. The CAPRS showed a good correlation to severity in ASD indicating difficulties in the regulation of activity and behavior likely to be connected to ASD in pre-school children.

Keywords: Autism behavior checklist; Autism spectrum disorders; Conners abbreviated parent-teacher; ESSENCE-Q; Pre-school children; Rating scale.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / psychology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Parents
  • Surveys and Questionnaires