Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire-Current and Social Responsiveness Scale as Teacher-Report Screening Tools for Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Limited research exists regarding the role of teachers in screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The current study examined the use of the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) as completed by parents and teachers about school-age children from the Simons Simplex Collection. Using the recommended cutoff scores in the manuals and extant literature, the teacher-completed SCQ and SRS yielded lower sensitivity and specificity values than would be desirable; however, lowering the cutoff scores on both instruments improved sensitivity and specificity to more adequate levels for screening purposes. Using the adjusted cutoff scores, the SRS teacher form appears to be a slightly better screener than the SCQ. Implications and limitations are discussed, as well as areas for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991a). Manual for the child behavioral checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991b). Manual for teacher’s report form and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, C. W., Silove, N., Williams, K., & Hutchins, P. (2007). Validity of the Social Communication Questionnaire in assessing risk of autism in preschool children with developmental problems. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1272–1278. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0279-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental, Behavioral Pediatrics, Bright Futures Steering Committee, & Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs Project Advisory Committee. (2006). Identifying infants and young children with developmental disorders in the medical home: An algorithm for developmental surveillance and screening [published correction appears in 2006, Pediatrics, 119, 1808–1809]. Pediatrics, 118, 405–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berument, S. K., Rutter, M., Lord, C., Pickles, A., & Bailey, A. (1999). Autism screening questionnaire: diagnostic validity. British Journal of Psychiatry, 175, 444–451.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. B., Warren, D., Sutcliffe, J. S., Lee, E. B., & Levitt, P. (2010). Association of MET with social and communication phenotypes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B, 153(B), 438–446. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., Baird, G., Simonoff, E., Loucas, T., Chandler, S., Meldrum, D., et al. (2007). Efficacy of three screening instruments in the identification of autistic-spectrum disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry, 191, 554–559. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.107.040196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Rodger, J., & McConachie, H. (2009). Restricted and repetitive behaviours, sensory processing and cognitive style in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 635–642. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0663-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Constantino, J. N., & Gruber, C. P. (2005). The social responsiveness scale manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Constantino, J. N., LaVesser, P. D., Zhang, Y., Abbacchi, A. M., Gray, T., & Todd, R. D. (2007). Rapid quantitative assessment of autistic social impairment by classroom teachers. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(12), 1668–1676. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318157cb23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corsello, C., Hus, V., Pickles, A., Risi, S., Cook, E. H., Leventhal, B. L., et al. (2007). Between a ROC and a hard place: Decision making and making decisions about using the SCQ. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(3), 932–940. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01762.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • dosReis, S., Weiner, C. L., Johnson, L., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2006). Autism spectrum disorder screening and management practices among general pediatric providers. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27(2), S88–S94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duvall, J. A., Lu, A., Cantor, R. M., Richard, T. D., Constantino, J. N., & Geschwind, D. H. (2007). A quantitative trait locus analysis of social responsiveness in multiplex autism families. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(4), 656–662.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, L. C., Wingert, H., & Ho, H. H. (2006). Screening for autism: Agreement with diagnosis. Autism, 10(3), 229–242. doi:10.1177/1362361306063288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, S., Gillberg, C., & Wing, L. (1999). A screening questionnaire for Asperger syndrome and other high-functioning autism spectrum disorders in school age children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23, 129–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filipek, P. A., Accardo, P. J., Ashwal, S., Baranek, G. T., Cook, E. H., Jr., Dawson, G., et al. (2000). Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism. Neurology, 55, 468–479.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischbach, G. D., & Lord, C. (2010). The Simons Simplex Collection: A resource for identification of autism genetic risk factors. Neuron, 68(2), 192–195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glascoe, F. P. (2005). Screening for developmental and behavioral problems. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 11, 173–179. doi:10.1002/mrdd.20068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goin-Kochel, R. P., Mackintosh, V. H., & Myers, B. J. (2006). How many doctors does it take to make an autism spectrum diagnosis? Autism, 10(5), 439–451.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gotham, K., Pickles, A., & Lord, C. (2009). Standardizing ADOS scores for a measure of severity in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(5), 693–705. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0674-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hepburn, S. L., DiGuiseppi, C., Rosenberg, S., Kaparich, K., Robinson, C., & Miller, L. (2008). Use of a teacher nomination strategy to screen for autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms: A pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 373–382. doi:10.1007/s10803-007-0404-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. P., Myers, S. M., & The Council on Children with Disabilities. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183–1215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S., Hollis, C., Hennessy, E., Kochhar, P., Wolke, D., & Marlow, N. (2011). Screening for autism in preterm children: Diagnostic utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 96(1), 73–77. doi:10.1136/adc.2010.194795.

  • Kadesjo, B., Gillberg, C., & Hagberg, B. (1999). Brief report: Autism and Asperger syndrome in seven-year-old children: A total population study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29(4), 327–331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamphaus, R. W., DiStefano, C., Dowdy, E., Eklund, K., & Dunn, A. R. (2010). Determining the presence of a problem: Comparing two approaches for detecting youth behavioral risk. School Psychology Review, 39(3), 395–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanne, S. M., Abbacchi, A. M., & Constantino, J. N. (2009). Multi-informant ratings of psychiatric symptom severity in children with autism spectrum disorders: The importance of environmental context. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 856–864.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, D. N., Dougherty, L. R., & Olino, T. M. (2005). Toward guidelines for evidence-based assessment of depression in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 241–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H., Marvin, A. R., Watson, T., Piggot, J., Law, J. K., Law, P. A., et al. (2010). Accuracy of phenotyping of autistic children based on internet implemented parent report. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B, 153B, 1119–1126. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.31103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, L., David, A. B., Rusyniak, J., Landa, R., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2007). Performance of the Social Communication Questionnaire in children receiving preschool special education services. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1(2), 126–138. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2006.08.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Risi, S., DiLavore, P., Shulman, C., Thurm, A., & Pickles, A. (2006). Autism from 2 to 9 years of age. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(6), 694–701. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.63.6.694.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P. C., & Risi, S. (2009). Autism diagnostic observation schedule manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D. S., Ittenbach, R. F., Levy, S. E., & Pinto-Martin, J. A. (2007). Disparities in diagnoses received prior to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Development Disorders, 37, 1795–1802. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0314-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D. S., Morales, K. H., Xie, M., Lawer, L. J., Stahmer, A. C., & Marcus, S. C. (2010). Age of diagnosis among Medicaid-enrolled children with autism, 2001–2004. Psychiatric Services, 61(8), 822–829.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D., Novak, M. M., & Zubritsky, C. (2005). Factors associated with the age of diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 116(6), 1480–1486. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mattila, M. L., Jussila, K., Kuusikko, S., Kielinen, M., Linna, S. L., Ebeling, H., et al. (2009). When does the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) predict autism spectrum disorders in primary school-aged children? European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18, 499–509. doi:10.1007/s00787-009-0044-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noland, R. M., & Gabriels, R. L. (2004). Screening and identifying children with autism spectrum disorders in the public school system: The development of a model process. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(3), 265–277. doi:10.1023/B:JADD.0000029549.84385.44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., Goodlin-Jones, B. L., & Solomon, M. (2005). Evidence-based assessment of autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34(3), 523–540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Posserud, M. B., Lundervold, A. J., & Gillberg, C. (2006). Autistic features in a total population of 7–9-year-old children assessed by the ASSQ (Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(2), 167–175. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01462.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reilly, C., Campbell, A., & Keran, P. (2009). Screening for Asperger syndrome in school-age children: Issues and instruments. Educational Psychology in Practice, 25(1), 37–52. doi:10.1080/02667360802697589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riccio, C., & Reynolds, C. (2003). The assessment of attention via continuous performance tests. In Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: Personality, behavior, and context (2nd ed., pp. 291–319). New York: Guilford Press.

  • Rutter, M., Bailey, A., & Lord, C. (2003a). Manual for the Social Communication Questionnaire. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., LeCouteur, A., & Lord, C. (2003b). Autism diagnostic interview-revised. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safran, S. P. (2008). Why youngsters with autistic spectrum disorders remain underrepresented in special education. Remedial and Special Education, 29(2), 90–95. doi:10.1177/0741932507311637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sattler, J. M. (2008). Assessment of children: Cognitive foundations (5th ed.). San Diego, CA: Jerome M. Sattler, Publisher, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silberglitt, B., & Hintze, J. (2005). Formative assessment using CBM-R cut scores to track progress toward success on state-mandated achievement tests: A comparison of methods. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 23, 304–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, W. K., & Ollendick, T. H. (2005). Evidence-based assessment of anxiety and its disorders in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 380–411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. R., & Brees, N. (1983). Autism: Model projects. Iowa monograph. Des Moines, IA: Iowa State Deparemtne of Public Instruction, Division of Special Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swets, J. A., Dawes, R. M., & Monahan, J. (2000). Psychological science can improve diagnostic decisions. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 1(1), 1–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tripp, G., Schaughency, E., & Clarke, B. (2006). Parent and teacher rating scales in the evaluation of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Contribution to diagnosis and differential diagnosis in clinically referred children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, 209–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R., Cook, E. H., Jr., Pomeroy, J., Realmuto, G., & Tanguay, P. (1999). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38, 32S–54S.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, E., Morey, J., Thompsen, W., Butler, C., Barber, M., & Fraser, W. I. (2003). Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder in children attending mainstream schools in a Welsh education authority. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 45, 377–384.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, L. D., Baio, J., & Rice, C. (2006). Examination of the time between first evaluation and first autism spectrum diagnosis in a population-based sample. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, S79–S87. doi:10.1097/00004703-200604002-00005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, L. D., Bakeman, R., Adamson, L. B., & Robins, D. L. (2007). The utility of the social communication questionnaire in screening for autism in children referred for early intervention. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22, 33–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witwer, A. N., & LeCavalier, L. (2007). Autism screening tools: An evaluation of the Social Communication Questionnaire and the Developmental Behaviour Checklist-Autism Screening Algorithm. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 32(3), 179–187. doi:10.1080/13668250701604776.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zweig, M. H., & Campbell, G. (1993). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots: A fundamental evaluation tool in clinical medicine. Clinical Chemistry, 39, 561–577.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Simons Foundation (SFARI SSC-15 to R. Goin-Kochel and A. Beaudet). We are grateful to all of the families at the participating SFARI Simplex Collection (SSC) sites, as well as the principal investigators (A. Beaudet, R. Bernier, J. Constantino, E. Cook, E. Fombonne, D. Geschwind, D. Grice, A. Klin, D. Ledbetter, C. Lord, C. Martin, D. Martin, R. Maxim, J. Miles, O. Ousley, B. Peterson, J. Piggot, C. Saulnier, M. State, W. Stone, J. Sutcliffe, C. Walsh, E. Wijsman). We appreciate obtaining access to phenotypic data on SFARI Base. Approved researchers can obtain the SSC population dataset described in this study (https://ordering.base.sfari.org/~browse_collection/archive[sfari_collection_v8_2]/ui:view()) by applying at https://base.sfari.org.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Farish Hall 491, Houston, TX, 77204, USA

    G. Thomas Schanding Jr. & Kerri P. Nowell

  2. Psychology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77204, USA

    Robin P. Goin-Kochel

Authors
  1. G. Thomas Schanding Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kerri P. Nowell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robin P. Goin-Kochel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Thomas Schanding Jr..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schanding, G.T., Nowell, K.P. & Goin-Kochel, R.P. Utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire-Current and Social Responsiveness Scale as Teacher-Report Screening Tools for Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 1705–1716 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1412-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1412-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation