Reliability of the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC)

A considerable amount of attention has occurred with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) of children and youth. Furthermore, the rationale for using the most restrictive of the applied behavior analysis methods and medication has been largely based on the presence of severe challenging behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and stereotypes. Despite the extensive treatment efforts, there has not been a scale developed specifically to address the screening and identification of these problem behaviors for children with ASD. The present study was specifically designed to report on the reliability and factor structure of a brief behavior problem inventory, which is part of a diagnostic battery for children suspected of evincing autism, PDD-NOS, or Asperger's syndrome. The initial psychometric properties of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC) are described and the implications for future research are presented.