The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for children ages 6–18 years obtains parent ratings of 112 problem behaviours, in addition to descriptions of their child’s strengths and challenges (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001 ). The Teacher Rating Form (TRF) is completed by teachers rating problem behaviour. Both the CBCL and TRF assess symptoms on the following subscale: Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Social Problems, Thought Problems, Attention Problems, Rule-Breaking Behavior and Aggressive Behavior. An Internalizing Problems score is derived from symptoms on the Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, and Somatic Complaints subscales. An Externalizing Problems score is derived from symptoms of Rule-Breaking Behavior and Aggressive Behavior. In addition to a Total Problems score, six DSM-Oriented subscales are also assessed on the CBCL and TRF, including Affective Problems, Anxiety Problems, Somatic Problems, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Problems, Oppositional Defiant Problems and Conduct Problems. Internal consistency and one-week test-retest reliability ranges from good to excellent for each of the domains with TD children (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001 ). Internal consistency is moderate to high for all composite and syndrome scales with children with IDD (Jacola et al., 2014 (link)). Items are rated on a 3-point scale from (0) not true to (2) very true, and t-scores are created based on an age and gender normative sample. Approximately 6% of typically developing children are expected to have t-scores above the threshold score of 65.
The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a rating scale of maladaptive behaviours for children and adults with IDD (Aman et al., 1985a (link); Aman, Singh, Stewart, & Field, 1985b (link)). Subscales assess Irritability, Lethargy, Stereotypic Behaviours, Hyperactivity, and Inappropriate Speech. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale from (0) not at all a problem to (3) the problem is severe in degree. Internal consistency is good to excellent, inter-rater reliability is moderate and retest reliability extremely high (Aman et al., 1985b (link)).
The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Forms (NCBRF) for parents and teachers measures adaptive and maladaptive behaviours among children with IDD (Aman et al., 1996 (link)). Adaptive subscales assess Compliant/Calm and Adaptive/Social. Maladaptive subscales assess Conduct Problems, Insecurity, Hyperactivity, Self-Injury, Ritualistic Behaviours, and Sensitivity. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale from behaviour did not occur or was not a problem (scored 0) to behaviour occurred a lot or was a severe problem (scored 3). The NCBRF demonstrates high inter-rater reliability between parent and teacher forms on all scales and high internal consistency for multiple subscales (Aman et al., 1996 (link)).
The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a rating scale of maladaptive behaviours for children and adults with IDD (Aman et al., 1985a (link); Aman, Singh, Stewart, & Field, 1985b (link)). Subscales assess Irritability, Lethargy, Stereotypic Behaviours, Hyperactivity, and Inappropriate Speech. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale from (0) not at all a problem to (3) the problem is severe in degree. Internal consistency is good to excellent, inter-rater reliability is moderate and retest reliability extremely high (Aman et al., 1985b (link)).
The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Forms (NCBRF) for parents and teachers measures adaptive and maladaptive behaviours among children with IDD (Aman et al., 1996 (link)). Adaptive subscales assess Compliant/Calm and Adaptive/Social. Maladaptive subscales assess Conduct Problems, Insecurity, Hyperactivity, Self-Injury, Ritualistic Behaviours, and Sensitivity. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale from behaviour did not occur or was not a problem (scored 0) to behaviour occurred a lot or was a severe problem (scored 3). The NCBRF demonstrates high inter-rater reliability between parent and teacher forms on all scales and high internal consistency for multiple subscales (Aman et al., 1996 (link)).
