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Investigating the Clinical Usefulness of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) in a Tertiary Level, Autism Spectrum Disorder Specific Assessment Clinic

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Abstract

The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS; Constantino and Gruber in Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, 2005) is a commonly used screening tool for identifying children with possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the relationship between SRS scores and eventual diagnostic outcome for children referred to a tertiary level, autism specific assessment service. Forty eight children (mean age = 8.10; 92% male) underwent a comprehensive ASD assessment. Parent and teacher SRS scores were subsequently compared with diagnostic outcome. Sensitivity was high (91% for parent report; 84% for teacher report), however specificity was much lower (8% for parent report; 41% for teacher report). Results demonstrate a need for caution when interpreting SRS results based on current cut-off scores, particularly in children with previously identified social developmental problems.

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Acknowledgments

This research was made possible by the 2007 Elizabeth Hoyle Scholarship from Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

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Author notes

  1. Katherine Schmidhofer

    Present address: Sydney Child Psychology Centre, Suite 3, 836 Military Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic Assessment Service, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), PO BOX 361, Forestville, NSW, 2087, Australia

    Fiona J. Aldridge, Vicki M. Gibbs, Katherine Schmidhofer & Megan Williams

Authors
  1. Fiona J. Aldridge
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  2. Vicki M. Gibbs
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  3. Katherine Schmidhofer
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  4. Megan Williams
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Correspondence to Fiona J. Aldridge.

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Aldridge, F.J., Gibbs, V.M., Schmidhofer, K. et al. Investigating the Clinical Usefulness of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) in a Tertiary Level, Autism Spectrum Disorder Specific Assessment Clinic. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 294–300 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1242-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1242-9

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