Question

Why is normed-referenced testing problematic in young children with suspected autism?

1) tests for 0-3 population are not available
2) social impairment may impact performance
3) symptoms do not emerge until age three
4) normal development is not well understood

Answer 1

Norm-referenced testing is problematic in young children with suspected autism due to the unavailability of tests for the 0-3 age group, the impact of social impairment on performance, the emergence of symptoms at age three, and the limited understanding of normal development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Norm-referenced testing is problematic in young children with suspected autism for several reasons:

1. Tests specifically designed for the 0-3 age group are not widely available, making it difficult to accurately assess their abilities.
2. The social impairment often associated with autism can impact a child's performance on norm-referenced tests, as they may struggle with tasks that involve social interaction or communication.
3. Autism symptoms typically do not fully emerge until around age three, making it challenging to diagnose and assess younger children accurately.
4. Normal development in young children is not well understood, which makes it difficult to establish appropriate norms for comparison.

Overall, these factors contribute to the challenges of using norm-referenced testing with young children suspected of having autism, highlighting the importance of considering alternative assessment methods that are better suited to their unique needs.