RESEARCH ARTICLE
Development of the anxiety scale for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASC-ASD)
Jacqui Rodgers,
Sarah Wigham,
Helen McConachie,
Mark Freeston,
Emma Honey,
Jeremy R. Parr,
Corresponding Author
Jacqui Rodgers
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Address for correspondence and reprints: Jacqui Rodgers, Clinical Psychology, Ridley Building, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSarah Wigham
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorHelen McConachie
Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorMark Freeston
School of Psychology, Newcastle University, UK
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Search for more papers by this authorEmma Honey
School of Psychology, Newcastle University, UK
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Search for more papers by this authorJeremy R. Parr
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorJacqui Rodgers,
Sarah Wigham,
Helen McConachie,
Mark Freeston,
Emma Honey,
Jeremy R. Parr,
Corresponding Author
Jacqui Rodgers
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Address for correspondence and reprints: Jacqui Rodgers, Clinical Psychology, Ridley Building, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSarah Wigham
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorHelen McConachie
Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorMark Freeston
School of Psychology, Newcastle University, UK
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Search for more papers by this authorEmma Honey
School of Psychology, Newcastle University, UK
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Search for more papers by this authorJeremy R. Parr
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
Search for more papers by this authorFunding source: The Baily Thomas Foundation, UK
Abstract
Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience high levels of anxiety. A widely used measure for typically developing children is the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). However, such anxiety measures may require adaptation to accommodate characteristics of those with ASD. An adapted version of the RCADS was created based on empirical evidence of anxiety phenomenology in ASD, which included additional items related to sensory anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and phobias. Content validity was refined during focus groups with parents. Polychoric factor analysis was undertaken on data from 170 children with ASD, aged 8-16, and their parents. This process resulted in the creation of a new 24 item scale (self and parent report) each with four subscales: Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety, with evidence of good reliability and validity. The freely available Anxiety Scale for Children - ASD, Parent and Child versions (ASC-ASD) has promising psychometric properties including good internal consistency, validity, and 1 month test–retest reliability. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1205–1215. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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