It is used to assess problem behaviors observed in individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, as well as the effects of medication or other intervention methods on these behaviors.
It is completed by a parent, educator, teacher, and/or clinician who knows the child well.
It can be used to assess children between the ages of 1 and 4.
The scale consists of 57 items and 5 subscales. The measured subscale dimensions are: Sensory, Relationship-Building, Body and Object Use, Language Skills, and Social and Self-Care Skills.
The lowest possible score on the scale is 0, and the highest is 159.
The ABC’s correct classification rate was found to be 88%. The cutoff score for the scale was set at 39. When reliability findings were examined, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and split-half reliability were found to be .92. Regarding inter-rater reliability, it was found to be .86 for 100 children evaluated independently by two teachers and .59 for 69 children evaluated by one teacher and one parent. Diagnosis and severity of the problem were used as external criteria in the study. The results support the criterion validity of the scale.
Source/Reference: Yılmaz-Irmak, T., Tekinsav-Sütçü, S., Aydın, A., Sorias, O. (2007). An examination of the validity and reliability of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 14(1), 13-23.