The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2) is a widely used assessment tool for evaluating the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children aged 2 years and older. It helps clinicians and researchers obtain a standardized measure of the child's behaviors related to autism.

 

The CARS-2 evaluates a range of behaviors and characteristics associated with ASD across various domains, including social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It consists of 15 items that are scored based on direct observation, caregiver report, and interaction with the child. The items cover areas such as social relationships, emotional response, imitation, body use, and object use.

 

Each item on the CARS-2 is scored on a 4-point scale ranging from "no abnormality" to "severely abnormal." The scores are then summed to obtain a total score that indicates the overall severity of autism symptoms. Additionally, subscale scores can be calculated to provide information about specific areas of functioning.

 

The CARS-2 helps clinicians differentiate between individuals with autism and those with other developmental or behavioral disorders. It provides a standardized measure of autism symptom severity and can assist in diagnosis, treatment planning, and tracking changes in symptoms over time.

 

It is important to note that the CARS-2 is just one component of a comprehensive evaluation for autism. It should be used in conjunction with other assessment tools, clinical observations, and information from multiple sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the child's functioning. The interpretation of CARS-2 results should be done by qualified professionals experienced in assessing and diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.