In particular , there is little evidence that the identified tools would be good at detecting change in intervention studies .
The obvious gaps in available outcome measurement include well-being and participation outcomes for children , and family quality -of-life outcomes , domains particularly valued by our informants ( young people with ASD and parents ) .
This is the first systematic review of the quality and appropriateness of tools design ed to monitor progress and outcomes of young children with ASD .
BACKGROUND The needs of children with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are complex and this is reflected in the number and diversity of outcomes assessed and measurement tools used to collect evidence about children 's progress .
Relevant outcomes include improvement in core ASD impairments , such as communication , social awareness , sensory sensitivities and repetitiveness ; skills such as social functioning and play ; participation outcomes such as social inclusion ; and parent and family impact .
OBJECTIVES To examine the measurement properties of tools used to measure progress and outcomes in children with ASD up to the age of 6 years .
To identify outcome areas regarded as important by people with ASD and parents .
Retrospective evaluation of an intensive method of treatment for children with pervasive developmental disorder
The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate a novel intensive therapy program in young children with pervasive developmental disorder ( PDD ) . Twenty-three children treated at the Mifne Institute in Israel between 1997 and 1999 were assessed .  Videos taken before coming to Mifne and after intensive treatment at the institute and before and after another 6 months of continued treatment at children 's homes were coded and blind rated by trained personnel using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale ( CARS ) and the Social Behavior Rating Scale ( SBRS ) . Total scores on both scales improved significantly after 3 weeks and after 6 months . There were some significant improvements at item level although the magnitude of the changes was modest . Despite the small number of participants , the modest increase in test scores , and the retrospective study design , these preliminary results are promising . There is a case for performing a full prospect i ve , comparative investigation of this treatment approach
In particular , there is little evidence that the identified tools would be good at detecting change in intervention studies .
The obvious gaps in available outcome measurement include well-being and participation outcomes for children , and family quality -of-life outcomes , domains particularly valued by our informants ( young people with ASD and parents ) .
This is the first systematic review of the quality and appropriateness of tools design ed to monitor progress and outcomes of young children with ASD .
BACKGROUND The needs of children with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are complex and this is reflected in the number and diversity of outcomes assessed and measurement tools used to collect evidence about children 's progress .
Relevant outcomes include improvement in core ASD impairments , such as communication , social awareness , sensory sensitivities and repetitiveness ; skills such as social functioning and play ; participation outcomes such as social inclusion ; and parent and family impact .
OBJECTIVES To examine the measurement properties of tools used to measure progress and outcomes in children with ASD up to the age of 6 years .
To identify outcome areas regarded as important by people with ASD and parents .