What are the 15 CARS domains?

CARS rates: relating to people, imitation, emotional response, body use, object use, adaptation to change, visual response, listening response, taste/smell/touch, fear/nervousness, verbal communication, non-verbal communication, activity level, cognitive consistency, and general impressions.

Is CARS used for diagnosis or screening?

CARS is a diagnostic aid, not a screening tool. It requires trained clinician administration, takes 20–30 minutes, and is used alongside developmental history and direct observation. DSM-5 clinical judgment remains the diagnostic standard.

Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)

Score the Childhood Autism Rating Scale across 15 behavioral domains to classify autism severity: non-autistic (below 30), mild-to-moderate (30–36.5), and severe autism (37–60).

⚕ Clinical Disclaimer: These calculators are for educational and reference purposes only. Always verify results with qualified clinical judgment and current clinical guidelines. Do not use as a sole basis for medical decisions.

How It Works

Score the Childhood Autism Rating Scale across 15 behavioral domains to classify autism severity: non-autistic (below 30), mild-to-moderate (30–36.5), and severe autism (37–60)

Each component has a specific meaning:

15 behavioral domains — The 15 behavioral domains recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the cars score result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the 15 behavioral domains for the scenario you are assessing. Score the Childhood Autism Rating Scale across 15 behavioral domains to classify autism severity: non-autistic (below 30), mild-to-moderate (30–36.5), and severe autism (37–60). Use the cars score result to inform your calculation.

Related Calculators

M-CHAT-R Autism

Medical Long-tail

Vanderbilt ADHD