Parent-reported assessment scores reflect ASD severity in 2- to 7- year-old children

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between parent-reported assessments and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity. Parents evaluated 9573 children with ASD on five subscales: combinatorial receptive language, expressive language, sociability, sensory awareness, and health using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC). Scores in every subscale improved with age and there were clear differences between the three diagnostic categories. The differences between mild and moderate ASD as well as between moderate and severe ASD reached statistical significance in each subscale and in every age group in children 3 years of age and older. These findings demonstrate a consistent relationship between children's diagnoses and their assessments.