Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with co-occurring emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The Child Behavior Checklist 6–18 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) is an EBD measure that contains several norm-referenced scales derived through factor analysis of data from the general pediatric population. The psychometric properties of this widely used and well-researched measure have not been evaluated in samples of youth with ASD. This study evaluated the CBCL’s internal structure, scale reliability, criterion-related validity, and diagnostic accuracy using archival data from a well-characterized sample of youth with ASD (N = 122). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the unidimensionality of the CBCL’s syndrome scales and its Internalizing-Externalizing factor structure. Significance tests indicated that many scales discriminated between two subgroups: a group of individuals with ASD+EBD and a group with ASD alone. Diagnostic accuracy analyses indicated that the CBCL had good sensitivity but low specificity for detecting co-occurring disorders. Results supported the use of the CBCL in conjunction with other clinical data when assessing for EBD in youth with ASD.

Validity studies of measures for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) for use with preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lacking. The Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000), a widely used measure for EBD, contains several normreferenced scales derived through factor analysis of data from the general pediatric population. In this study, confirmatory factor analysis of archival data evaluated the adequacy of the CBCL factor model in a well characterized sample of preschoolers with ASD (N=128). Psychometric results supported the model and suggested that practitioners can use the CBCL to assess for EBD in young children with ASD in conjunction with other clinical data. This will increase the likelihood of accurate identification and EBD-specific intervention. KeywordsCBCL; Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5; autism spectrum disorder; ASD; factor analysis; emotional and behavioral disorder Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present with relatively high rates of cooccurring emotional (internalizing) and behavioral (externalizing) disorders (EBDs; e.g., see Brereton, Tonge, & Einfeld, 2006;Gadow, DeVincent, Pomeroy, & Azizian, 2004;Klinger, Dawson, & Renner, 2003;Lainhart, 1999). It is often difficult to distinguish co-occurring EBDs requiring specific treatment from behaviors reflecting the core diagnostic and associated features of ASD. Failure to accurately identify EBDs forestalls intervention, which may result in greater functional impairment and personal distress for the affected child and family, and may moderate response to interventions that target ASD symptoms (e.g., social communication). No EBD measures have been developed specifically for preschoolers with ASD to assist in diagnostic decision making. In addition, the psychometric properties of existing measures designed for use with the general population have not been studied in ASD samples (Leyfer, Folstein, Bacalman, et al., 2006;Ozonoff, Goodlin-Jones, and Solomon, 2005).Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Vincent Pandolfi, Rochester Institute of Technology, School Psychology Department, 18 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623. E-mail E-mail: vxpgla@rit.edu.. NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript J Autism Dev Disord. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 July 1. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptThe Child Behavior Checklist 1. 5-5 (CBCL;Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000) is a widely used norm-referenced measure that assesses for a wide range of EBDs in children aged 1.5 to 5 years. The CBCL's empirically-derived scales were developed through factor analysis of data from the general pediatric population. However, it is not clear if the CBCL factor model, which represents its scoring structure, is valid for the ASD population. This study evaluated the CBCL factor model using archival data from a well characterized sample of preschool children with ASD. Results inform practitioners about the validity of the instrument's s...

This study investigated the factor structure of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Principal components analysis (PCA) and principal axis factor analysis (PAF) evaluated archival data from children presenting to a university clinic with suspected autism spectrum disorders (ASDs; N = 164). PCA did not replicate components identified by DiLalla and Rogers (1994, Domains of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Relevance for diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(2), 115-128) and Stella, Mundy, and Tuchman (1999, Social and nonsocial factors in the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29(4), 307-317). PAF identified correlated Social-Communication, Social Interaction, Stereotypies and Sensory Abnormalities, and Emotional Regulation factors. Results differed across studies; however, each identified ASD related constructs conceptually consistent with DSM-IV. Although its development predates the DSM-IV, and many newer measures are available, the CARS' psychometric properties, conceptual relevance, and flexible administration procedures support its continued use as a screening device in the diagnostic decision-making process.

Results indicated initial psychometric support for the SCQ as an ASD screening measure in children with DS. The SCQ should be considered as part of a multimethod evaluation when screening children with DS.

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with emotional problems such as anxiety and depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A recent study of the Child Behavior Checklist 6-18 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) indicated good sensitivity but relatively low specificity for identifying emotional problems in youth with ASD. The current study examined the extent to which variance in the CBCL's Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Internalizing Domain, and Total Problems scales was accounted for by symptoms of emotional problems relative to ASD symptoms. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that these scales measured anxiety and depression but a small statistically significant proportion of variance in Total Problems scores was also accounted for by ASD symptoms. Results contribute to the emerging evidence base for the inclusion of the CBCL in assessment protocols for assessing emotional and behavioral problems in youth with ASD.