CARS autism test - does the score move as they grow?

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

It's just an improved CARS scored is cited by our LA as proof of their intervention being effective, but I'm sure I read somewhere that it usually improves anyway, regardless of method of intervention.

anyone?

Ed psych won't give me a copy of the test now. Apparently tis a standardised test and can be viewed but not handed over.

What the CARS?

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Could you cat me? I may have something of interest for you

there was a thread about the cars test a couple of weeks back where the scoring and the changes with time were discussed.

Having a copy here in front of me, I can't see that the vast majori9ty of children wouldn't move up to some extent- that would vary of course, but certainly my two have learned some skills that would enable them to score more highly. I can think of maybe one or two people with autism that wouldn't have done so, people with the very most severe form, no interaction and no language whatsoever (including non verbal)- but otherwise would expect some change.

Can you set some other targets alongside progress on CARs? Certainly a scoring change may be one measure, but for us the prime concerns were a deterioration in emotional well being and stability- and I wouldwantsome form of good clear target that showed he was coping emotionally (ie happy) in his placement

DS1's went down. Which can quite common. He stood still, so as he grew it became worse as it's compared to 'normal'.

I personally don't think CARS is really reliable enough to use to measure improvement in pre-schoolers. You're better off using ABLLS or something similar imo if you want to track progress.

He is very severe though isn't he MrsT?- with regards to language etc in particular, things that would really flag up on CARs.
DS3 has gonr forwards fromfirst assessment- gap between him and NT kids has widened but
in certaina reas so CARs still shows general progress.

BTW wanted to hijack you- started the MA yesterday, have you any suggestions for a journal to subscribe to or research site to join? Uni have many but I wanted one for home as well as access to Uni limited by ds4, I can cover a fair amunt in my morning in a week but not as much as if I work from home too IYSWIM.

Yes he's severe, but I know others who have done the same. He's also sociable, so scored as less severe when little due to his sociability, and the fact that a non-verbal 2 year old isn't that odd I guess.

What sort of focus does do you want the journal to have? Can't you access your uni library account online? The journals are expensive to get sent. I access most online from home via my uni account.

I was a member of research autism for a while (meant I could go to IMFAR for a cheaper rate) - so had their journal sent to me, but it's quite biomedically so might not be that much use to you.

There's the interactive autism network, which isn't that much use in the UK, but is an easy and interesting browse.

The first semester is on diagnosis tools and assessment, semester two on approaches andtreatment (so ABA etc)- first esay on module one though so am setting sights purely there LOL

Think we can do it online but not until it has been set up IYSWIM and they ahven't scheduld that in yet- almost everyone else is a teacher so I think they assume a big Chrostmas hols owrkload whereas I want to start moving from now- sixty references minimum is far better spaced I think, and we have given in and booked the CM for respite twice a week do want to use that as my 'me' time. And to generally cope with the chaos- dh started his degree properly yesterday as well, what's it Pratchett says- may you live in interesting times!!!!

DS's CARs weren't done until 4 and 5, so their baseline is probably different- ds1'slanguage stuff would have shwn up clearly so progress where he has it is evident.

Was good though to get all thr assessments yesterday and see ho non- ASD ds4 seems to be on them- not totally clear, no signs of empathy yet but pointing /pretend play... all thge things we knew were psotive but good to see written iyswim. With ds2 bing assessed as well (dyspraxia /add) I wathced the clip opf the docu about the Jackson family they showed us, and whilst everyone else satred in horror I was pmsl thinking not just me then- esp. the bit where she was sorting GF foods from non and locking them away..... am thinking the group thnk I am V V odd!