{"id":1332,"date":"2018-11-21T12:29:56","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T18:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/last-drum.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=1332"},"modified":"2026-02-18T14:33:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T19:33:46","slug":"interpreting-atec-scores","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-treatment-evaluation-checklist\/interpreting-atec-scores\/","title":{"rendered":"ATEC – Interpreting Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist Scores"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you are asked to complete the ATEC in order to access a private social media page or website, please note that ARI is not affiliated with any organization nor individual who requires users to complete the ATEC.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Validity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We are aware of thirteen (13) studies evaluating the psychometric properties of the ATEC:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abaoud, A.A., Almalkim, N.S., Bakheit, S.F., & Ateik Al-khadher, M.M. (2020). Psychometric properties of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist in Saudi Arabia. <\/span>Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7<\/span><\/i>, 101604. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rasd.2020.101604<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Borissov, A., Bakolis, I., Tekola, B., Kinfe, M., Ceccarelli, C., et al. (2021). Adaptation and validation of two autism-related measures of skills and quality of life in Ethiopia. Autism<\/em>, Online ahead of print. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/13623613211050751<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Elvitigala, C.L.A., Walpita,N.B., Dahanayake, D., Wijetunge, G.S., (2024). Validation of the Sinhala version of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry <\/em>15 (1), 10-15. DOI: 10.4038\/sljpsyc.v15i1.8513<\/a><\/p>\n

Freiere, M.H., Andre, A.M., & Kummer, A.M. (2018). Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Journal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria<\/em>, Letter to the Editor, 67(1). doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1590\/0047-2085000000186<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Geier, D. A., Kern, J. K., & Geier, M. R. (2013). A comparison of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) for the quantitative evaluation of autism. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilitie<\/em>s, 6(4), 255\u2013267.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jagadeesan, P., Kabbani, A., & Vyshedskiy, A. (2022). Parent-reported assessment scores reflect the ASD severity level in 2-to 7-year-old children.\u00a0Children<\/i>, 9(5), 701. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/children9050701<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Liyew, W. A., Moges, A., Girma, F., Abebe, W., & Afework, M. (2025). Investigation of the underlying factor structures of social interaction impairments in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at autism centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: principal component analysis of the autism treatment evaluation checklists. The Pan African Medical Journal, 51, 81.<\/span> PDF HERE<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Magiati, I., Moss, J., Yates, R., Charman, T., & Howlin, P. (2011). Is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist a useful tool for monitoring progress in children with autism spectrum disorders? Journal of Intellectual Disability Research<\/em>, 55(3), 302\u2013312. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1365-2788.2010.01359.x<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Mahapatra S, Vyshedsky D, Martinez S, Kannel B, Braverman J, Edelson SM, Vyshedskiy A. Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Norms: A \u201cGrowth Chart\u201d for ATEC Score Changes as a Function of Age. Childre<\/em>n. (2018). <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/children5020025<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Memari, A.H., Shayestehfar, M., Mirfazeli, F-S., Rashidi, T., Ghanouni, P., & Hafizi, S. (2013). Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist in Persian. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics<\/em>, 23, 269-275. PMID: 23795248<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Netson, R, Fucks, A.S., Santos, A.S.S.S., Poloni, L.E.P., Nacano, N.N., Fucks, E., Radi, K., Strong, W.E., Carnaval, A.A., Russo, M., Venkatesh, R., and Vyshedskiy, A. Pediatr. Rep<\/em>. (2024). A Comparison of Parent Reports, the Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC) and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) 16(1), 174-189; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/pediatric16010016<\/a><\/p>\n

Rimland, B. & Edelson, S.M. (1999). Autism treatment evaluation checklist. APA PsycNet. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/t03995-000<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Starling, C.D. (2017). A comparison of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) for the quantitative evaluation of autism.\u00a0 Unpublished dissertation, University of the Rockies. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/19315864.2012.681340<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Reliability<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The following data are based on the first 1358 initial (baseline) ATEC forms submitted to the Autism Research Institute. \u201cInitial\u201d refers to the first ATEC form submitted for a given individual.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the primary function of the ATEC is to measure the efficacy of interventions, it is expected that a number of ATECs will be submitted for each individual periodically during the trial of the intervention, subsequent to the initial (baseline) ATEC.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reliability<\/b><\/p>\n

Pearson split-half (internal consistency) coefficient<\/span><\/p>\n

N=1358<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nUncorrected r<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scale I Speech<\/td>\n.920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scale II: Sociability<\/td>\n.836<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scale III: Sensory\/Cognitive Awareness<\/td>\n.875<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scale IV: Health\/Physical\/Behavior<\/td>\n.815<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total ATEC Score<\/td>\n.942<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Score Distributions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The purpose of the ATEC is to measure change in an individual due to various interventions \u2013 that is \u2013 the difference between the initial (baseline) ATEC scores and later ATEC scores. Nevertheless, we are often asked for normative data, which permit comparison of one individual with others. Here are the score distributions. (The lower the scores, the better.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Score Distributions<\/strong>
\nThe purpose of the ATEC is to measure change in an individual due to various interventions – that is – the difference between the initial (baseline) ATEC scores and later ATEC scores. Nevertheless, we are often asked for normative data, which permit comparison of one individual with others. Here are the score distributions. (The lower the scores, the better.)

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nScale I<\/td>\nScale II<\/td>\nScale III<\/td>\nScale IV<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSpeech<\/td>\nSociability<\/td>\nSensory\/Cognitive<\/td>\nHealth\/Physical\/Behavior<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Centile
\nMild<\/td>\n		Range:
\n0-28<\/td>\n		Range:
\n0-40<\/td>\n		Range:
\n0-36<\/td>\n		Range:
\n0-75<\/td>\n		Total Range:
\n0-180<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-9<\/td>\n0-2<\/td>\n0-4<\/td>\n0-5<\/td>\n0-8<\/td>\n0-30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10-19<\/td>\n3-5<\/td>\n5-7<\/td>\n6-8<\/td>\n9-12<\/td>\n31-41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20-29<\/td>\n6-7<\/td>\n8-10<\/td>\n9-11<\/td>\n13-15<\/td>\n42-50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30-39<\/td>\n8-10<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n12-13<\/td>\n16-18<\/td>\n51-57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40-49<\/td>\n11-12<\/td>\n12-13<\/td>\n14-15<\/td>\n19-21<\/td>\n58-64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50-59<\/td>\n13-15<\/td>\n14-15<\/td>\n16-17<\/td>\n22-24<\/td>\n65-71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
60-69<\/td>\n16-19<\/td>\n16-18<\/td>\n18-19<\/td>\n25-28<\/td>\n72-79<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
70-79<\/td>\n20-21<\/td>\n19-21<\/td>\n20-21<\/td>\n29-32<\/td>\n80-89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80-89<\/td>\n22-24<\/td>\n22-25<\/td>\n22-25<\/td>\n33-39<\/td>\n90-103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
90-99<\/td>\n25-28<\/td>\n26-40<\/td>\n26-36<\/td>\n40-75<\/td>\n104-179<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

A recent study employed the ATEC and MSEC scales to assess autistic children between 2 and 7 years old and found a consistent association between age and symptom severity (https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2227-9067\/9\/5\/701<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>

159 Published Studies Employing the Autism Research Institute’s <\/strong>Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)<\/b><\/h2>\n

[Updated December 26, 2025]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Abadi, F., Moradi, A. R., Zarafshan, H., Mohamadi, M. R., & Sadeghi, M. (2024). A Comparison of Compensatory and Remediation Cognitive Interventions in Preschoolers With Autism: A Study Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 15(6), 819-832. doi.org\/10.32598\/bcn.2023.3612.2<\/a><\/p>\n

Abraham, Debi Ann, Narasimhan, Udayakuma, Mahalingam, Vijayakumar Thangavel, Krishnan, Manikandan, Ganesanm Rajanandh Muhasaparur, Goh, Khang Wen, Tan, Ching Siang, Ming, Long Chiau,\u00a0 Ardianto, Chrismawan. Estimation of plasma concentration of L-Carnosine and its correlation with core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder children: A pilot clinical trial. <\/span>Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed)<\/span><\/i> 2024, 29(10), 365. <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.31083\/j.fbl2910365<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 (registering DOI)<\/span><\/p>\n

Acosta A, Khokhlovich E, Reis H, Vyshedskiy A. Dietary Factors Impact Developmental Trajectories in Young Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord<\/em>. 2023 Aug 16. doi: 10.1007\/s10803-023-06074-8<\/a>. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37584768<\/p>\n

Adams JB, Audhya T, McDonough-Means S, Rubin RA, Quig D, Geis E, Gehn E, Loresto M, Mitchell J, Atwood S, Barnhouse S, Lee W. Nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children, and the association with autism severity. Nutr Metab<\/em> (Lond). 2011 Jun 8;8(1):34. doi: 10.1186\/1743-7075-8-34<\/a>.PMID: 21651783<\/p>\n

Adams, J.B., Baral, M., Geis, E., Mitchell,<\/span> J., Ingram, J., Hensley, A., Zappia, I., Newmark, S., Gehn, E., Rubin, R.A., Mitchell, K., Bradstreet, J. et al. (2009). The severity of autism is associated with toxic metal body burden and red blood cell glutathione levels. Journal of Toxicology, doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2009\/532640\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Adams, J.B., Johansen, L.J., Powell, L.D., Quig, D., & Rubin, R.A. (2011). Gastrointestinal flora and gastrointestinal status in children with autism \u2013 comparisons to typical children and correlation with autism severity. <\/span>BMC Gastroenterology<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>22<\/span><\/i>. doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1471-230X-11-22<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Adnan, M., Husain, K., Ashraf, S., Jakkam-Setty, M., & Jain, S. (2025). 3.33 Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children and Adolescents With ASD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 64(10), S231-S232.<\/span><\/p>\n

Al-Ayadhi LY, Halepoto DM, Al-Dress AM, Mitwali Y, Zainah R. Behavioral Benefits of Camel Milk in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder – PubMed (nih.gov) J Coll Physicians Surg Pak<\/em>. 2015 Nov;25(11):819-23.PMID: 26577969<\/a><\/p>\n

Al Backer, N.B. (2016). Correlation between Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) in the evaluation of autism spectrum disorder. <\/span>Sudan Journal of Paediatrics, 16(1),<\/span><\/i> 17-22.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n