Observation-centered approach to ASD assessment in Tanzania

Abstract In many lower-income countries, there is a paucity of assessment services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)., Guidelines will be provided for conducting cross-cultural assessments in the context of limited validated resources in Tanzania. By examining behavioral, social, and adaptive diff...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Intellectual and developmental disabilities 2014-10, Vol.52 (5), p.330-347
Main Authors: Harrison, Ashley J, Zimak, Eric H, Sheinkopf, Stephen J, Manji, Karim P, Morrow, Eric M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Best Practices
Child
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - diagnosis
Child, Preschool
Children & youth
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Developed Nations
Developing countries
Developmental Delays
Families & family life
Female
Field Tests
Guidelines
Humans
Language
LDCs
Mental Health
Observation
Play and Playthings
Psychiatrists
Psychiatry
Psychological Services
Rating Scales
Tanzania
Translation
Young Adult
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract In many lower-income countries, there is a paucity of assessment services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)., Guidelines will be provided for conducting cross-cultural assessments in the context of limited validated resources in Tanzania. By examining behavioral, social, and adaptive differences we were able to provide differential diagnostic evaluations aligning with best practice standards for 41 children in Tanzania age 2-21 years. We describe the utility of a flexible, behavioral observation instrument, the Childhood Autism Rating Scales, Second Edition (CARS2), to gather diagnostic information in a culturally sensitive manner. We observed that the ASD group was characterized by significantly higher scores on the CARS2, F  =  21.09, p < .001, η(2)  =  .37, than the general delay comparison group. Additional recommendations are provided for making cultural adaptations to current assessment instruments for use in a country without normed instruments, such as Tanzania.
ISSN:1934-9491
1934-9556
DOI:10.1352/1934-9556-52.5.330