Preliminary psychometric properties of the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF: SC) in Farsi speaking children

Abstract

Background Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF: SC) assesses typical performance and capacity of communication. Farsi version of ACSF: SC was developed and its psychometric properties investigated. Material and methods The English version of ACSF: SC was translated into Farsi and cultural adaptation was completed. The content validity of the adapted version was evaluated by experts and parents. The back-translated version was approved by www.canchild.ca. Therapists and parents assessed face validity. Correlation between ACSF: SC and the Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC) was analyzed to determine concurrent validity. For inter-rater reliability, 5 speech and language pathologists, 5 occupational therapists, and 35 parents participated to assess the communication level of 35 autistic children aged 3–6. The test–retest reliability was performed at the interval of 14 days. Result The results of analyses for typical performance and capacity showed the communication levels of children in ACSF: CS were directly related to subscales of CCC including inappropriate initiation (r ≥ 0.46) and stereotypical conversation (r ≥ 0.45). The weighted kappa inter-rater reliability ranged from good (0.54) to excellent (0.77); and the test–retest reliability varied from good (0.63) to excellent (0.85). Conclusion Adapted version of ACSF: CS is able to estimate the communication function of Farsi- speaking autism spectrum disorder children.