Ruwida Al.atawi
Tabuk University, Saudi Arabia
Title: The effectiveness of the childhood autism rating scale. second edition (CARS 2), in assessing and diagnosing autism cases in a Saudi Sample
Biography
Biography: Ruwida Al.atawi
Abstract
The Purpose of this study was to develop the Saudi Version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS 2). The original scale was translated to the Arabic language. The Saudi version of the scale was administered to a total of (170) individuals served as a sample of the study. The sample consisted of (62) individuals with autism disorder, (54) individuals with mental retardation and (54) individuals without any disabilities, in the age groups from (2-6, 7-10 and from 11-14 an more). Validity and reliability coefficient were calculated.
The result of the validity showed that the scale has content validity indicators by its development and translation, discriminate validity by discriminating between the three different groups: individuals with autism, mental retardation, and non disabilities. Construct validity was calculated for the scale using the correlation between the performances regarding the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS 2) and statement of the Saudi from of (Autism Behavior Checklist, ABC) (n=30) where the total correlation coefficient was (0,62).
The results of the reliability using the agreement among raters (n=30) showed that the scale has inter-rater reliability (0,93).. while the internal consistency approach by using the method of Cronbach Alpha (n=170), the correlation value of the total degree was (0.96), and the dimensions reliability coefficients ranged between (0.88-0.96), and by using Raters Agreement Procedure (n = 30), the reliability coefficient of the total degree was (0.96) and the dimensions reliability coefficients ranged between (0.87-0.94). The study then suggested further study on the scale.