finally got the notes from the drs. visit

luvmybaby28 · May 2012

and the assessment tool that was used was the CARS (childhood autism rating scale) which is to be used on children 2 and up. Is this correct? This is what I found from googling it.

According to the notes, the scores from 37-60 indicate severe autism and my lo scored a 42.

I am not trying to get anyone to say my lo does or doesn't have it, but why use this scale on a 20 month old? 4 months shy of the age range used for this assessment.

One of the things mentioned is that his fear or nervousness was rated a 4 because I mentioned that he freaked out at music class when he was 1. He now adores music class and never appears fearful or nervous. His listening response was also rated a 4 because he doesn't always respond to his name and doesn't always follow commands. He only ignores his name when he is playing sometimes and he follows tons of commands, always listening.

I just think that this whole assessment was ridiculous, not sure if I should see a developmental pedi or wait a while.

CrazeyJaneyR · May 2012

Hey - that must have been hard to read. ((hugs))

I would see the pedi- I would def call soon, b/c there can be a long wait. IT can't hurt to go IMO.

When my guys were DX by EI the ADOS was used. It was not simplified because of their age (18 months). Like you, I felt the test was too advanced for them. When Yale Dx them they used a simplified ADOS that was more relevant to their age.

ABColeslaw · May 2012

Yes get a second opinion. It is a very strong belief of mine that standardized tests should be held to the testing guidelines. There is a huge developmental difference between a 20 month old and 24 month old even if it doesn't seem like it to us.

ABColeslaw · May 2012

-auntie-:
If the test was not normed for your child's age at the time, it is not a valid assessment. Did the doctor use any others?

Whether to revisit now or later is your call. Perhaps at 3, whatever is going on will be more obvious to the clinician evaluating and to you as well.

This is a good point and something I had to consider before schedule another evaluation for Asher. I did in the end decide to go forward now, because I just can't ignore a voice in my head that say "what if you're wrong?" because I know how important Early Intervention is.

But there is something to also be said for waiting a little bit longer. I wonder if Asher had been older and had more language under his belt and a little more experience in dealing with novel situations, if both of us would have seen a different kid.

luvmybaby28 · May 2012

thanks for the replies ladies. I am just so confused about why she didn't use the ados or the chat or another assessment tool for 18 months and up, since he was 20 months old. I feel like I must be incorrect that it is for 2 and up, even though it says this online, I can't imagine any Dr. using it on a child the incorrect age.

She just said so many things that were way off base, such as that he should be playing well with other kids - not just parallel play, but she knew he was under 2 where parallel play is what is expected of this age.

She also said there was no way that he would be caught up with speech by age 2, but he has been gaining words every day and he isn't even 23 months yet. The pedi said they would like to see 50 words by age 2, and he is right around there now. But he is only doing single words so I do want to wait for another assessment to see how more meaningful speech and sentences/back and forth conversation will develop the next few years.

According to the notes, the cars is the only assessment tool used, has anyone else had this be the sole test used for a child under 2?

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finally got the notes from the drs. visit

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