What does the Childhood Autism Rating Scale assess?

The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is designed to assess the overall severity of autism symptoms in children. This tool evaluates various domains of behavior and characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders. By providing a standardized method for measuring symptom severity across various aspects of functioning, the CARS helps to determine the degree of autism and can assist in tracking changes over time or the effectiveness of interventions.

While the assessment includes aspects of social interaction skills and repetitive behaviors, its primary purpose is to give an overall picture of the severity of autism symptoms. This helps clinicians, educators, and families understand the child's needs and tailor interventions accordingly. The focus on overall symptom severity ensures that the assessment is comprehensive, covering multiple domains of behavior that are affected by autism.