Assessment of global functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: Utility of the Developmental Disability–Child Global Assessment Scale. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: White, Susan W; Smith, Laura A; Schry, Amie R
• Is Part Of: Autism. Volume 18:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: adolescents -- autism -- global functioning -- treatment; Autism -- Periodicals; Autism in children -- Periodicals; 616.85882005
• DOI: 10.1177/1362361313481287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-3613

Abstract

Assessment of global functioning is an important consideration in treatment outcome research; yet, there is little guidance on its evidence-based assessment for children with autism spectrum disorders. This study investigated the utility and validity of clinician-rated global functioning using the Developmental Disability–Child Global Assessment Scale in a sample of higher functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid anxiety disorders enrolled in a randomized controlled trial ( n = 30). Pretreatment Developmental Disability–Child Global Assessment Scale scores correlated with severity of autism spectrum disorders core symptoms ( r = −.388, p = .034), pragmatic communication ( r = .407, p = .032), and verbal ability ( r = .449, p = .013) and did not correlate with severity of anxiety symptoms or with parent-reported adaptive behavior. Change in Developmental Disability–Child Global Assessment Scale scores during treatment was associated with autism spectrum disorders symptomatic improvement ( r = .414, p = .040) and with improved general communication ( r = .499, p = .013). Results support the importance of assessing global functioning in addition to symptom change and treatment response in clinical trials.