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The Relationship Between the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Second Edition and Clinical Diagnosis Utilizing the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5

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Abstract

The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS2; 2010) includes two rating scales; the CARS2-Standard Version (CARS2-ST) and the newly developed CARS2-High Functioning Version (CARS2-HF). To assess the diagnostic agreement between the CARS2 and DSM-IV-TR versus DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), clinicians at community based centers of the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program rated participants seen for a diagnostic evaluation on symptoms of autism using both the DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria and either the CARS2-HF or the CARS2-ST. Findings suggest that overall, the diagnostic agreement of the CARS2 remains high across DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria for autism.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Joyce Lum, Janette Wellman, John Dougherty, Laura Grofer Klinger, and Mark Klinger for their contributions to this research.

Author Contributions

TD participated in the conception and coordination of the study, drafting of the manuscript, and the design and interpretation of the data. MVB participated in the conception and design of the study and the drafting of the manuscript. ATM participated in drafting the manuscript and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Tamara Dawkins.

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Dawkins, T., Meyer, A.T. & Van Bourgondien, M.E. The Relationship Between the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Second Edition and Clinical Diagnosis Utilizing the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 3361–3368 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2860-z

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