Identifier

etd-03042010-081654

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Researchers found that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a predictor for challenging behaviors. Since challenging behaviors are obstacles for social development and learning, it is important to determine if and what challenging behaviors are exhibited and how to best treat them. The Autism Spectrum Disorder – Problem Behavior for Children (ASD-PBC) is an 18 item informant based questionnaire specifically designed to measure challenging behaviors in children with ASD. Convergent and discriminant validity against the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2), demonstrated the preliminary validity for the ASD-PBC for use among children and adolescents with ASD. Study 2 examined the relationship between age and challenging behaviors among children and adolescents with ASD. The ASD-PBC items, scales, and total score were used to investigate this relationship. Only one item, ‘throwing items at others,’ was significantly correlated with age, at rs = -.26. As the BASC-2 is often used to aid in diagnosis, it is important to discern how children and adolescents with ASD score on the BASC-2 compared to typically developing controls. Study 3 did just this. Results indicated that on all clinical subscales and composites the ASD group scored significantly higher, except for the aggression, and anxiety subscales, as well as the internalizing composite. As predicted, the ASD group scored significantly lower on the adaptability composite and all subscales comprising this composite.

Date

2010

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Matson, Johnny. L.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.2044

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Psychology Commons

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