Caregiver-Child Agreement in Health-Related Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Adolescents.

Researchers studied whether autistic children and their caregivers agree on the child's quality of life using a standard questionnaire. They found good agreement overall, but caregivers and younger children (ages 5-7) were less likely to agree on emotional, social, and school issues compared to older children (ages 8-12). The questionnaire proved reliable for measuring quality of life in autistic children aged 5-12.

This study examined agreement between caregivers and autistic children/adolescents (n=133, ages 5-12) regarding health-related quality of life using the PedsQL 4.0 assessment tool. Results showed good to excellent agreement overall across total, physical, and psychosocial health measures. However, agreement was lower for emotional, social, and school functioning domains in younger children (ages 5-7) compared to older children (ages 8-12). The findings support the PedsQL 4.0 caregiver module as a reliable instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in autistic children aged 5-12 years, while highlighting age-related differences in caregiver-child agreement patterns.

Clinicians can reliably use PedsQL 4.0 caregiver reports for autistic children aged 5-12, but should consider seeking additional input from younger children regarding emotional and social concerns. Age-specific assessment strategies may improve accuracy of quality of life measurement.

Single study with unclear methodology details. Sample characteristics and study design not specified in abstract. Limited age range (5-12 years) restricts generalizability to other developmental periods.

This study examined the agreement of perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between caregivers and autistic children and adolescents (n = 133, 5-12 years) using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition (PedsQL 4.0). Results reveal good to excellent agreement over this age range across the total, physical, and psychosocial health scales. However, the emotional, social, and school functioning scores demonstrated lower agreement in dyads with children aged 5-7 than in dyads with children aged 8-12 years. Despite these differences in agreement, overall, the PedsQL 4.0 caregiver-module is a reliable instrument for measuring HRQOL in autistic individuals aged 5-12 years.