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The Quality of Life for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Scale: Factor Analysis, MIMIC Modeling, and Cut-Off Score Analysis

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Abstract

Our purpose in this study was to further examine the psychometric properties of the Quality of Life for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (QOLASD-C) scale. We first investigated the factor structure and the internal consistency of the scale. The bifactor model showed good fit and strong reliability. Second, we used multiple-indicators multiple-causes (MIMIC) modeling to examine the associations between demographic variables and the QOLASD-C dimensions. Results showed differences on overall QOL based on age, race/ethnicity, and autism spectrum disorder severity, but no relationships with gender. All demographic variables were associated with one or all three subscales (i.e., interpersonal relationships, self-determination, emotional well-being) of the QOLASD-C. Third, an optimal cut-off score of 37 was identified. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

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Notes

  1. Although many self-advocates with autism often prefer the use of identity-first language, some individuals with autism and professionals in the field of education prefer the use of person-first language. The authors adopt person-first language in this study because this term focuses on the person first as an individual and, thus, highlights their unique combination of abilities and experiences while acknowledging the terminology preference of some individuals with autism, of their families, and of practitioners in the field of education.

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No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Old Dominion University, 4501 Hampton Blvd., Child Study Center 110, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Laura C. Chezan

  2. University of South Carolina, 820 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Jin Liu & Erik Drasgow

  3. Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, University Town of Shenzhen, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China

    Ruyi Ding

  4. Old Dominion University, 4501 Hampton Blvd., Child Study Center 124, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Alexandro Magana

Authors
  1. Laura C. Chezan
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  2. Jin Liu
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  3. Erik Drasgow
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  4. Ruyi Ding
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  5. Alexandro Magana
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Contributions

Conceptualization: [Laura C. Chezan, Erik Drasgow, Jin Liu]; Methodology: [Jin Liu, Ruyi Ding]; Writing - original draft preparation: [Laura C. Chezan]; Writing - review and editing: [Laura C. Chezan, Erik Drasgow, Jin Liu, Alexandro Magana]; Recruitment: [Alexandro Magana]. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Laura C. Chezan.

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Chezan, L.C., Liu, J., Drasgow, E. et al. The Quality of Life for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Scale: Factor Analysis, MIMIC Modeling, and Cut-Off Score Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 3230–3245 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05610-2

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