Mandarin Chinese version of the childhood autism spectrum test (CAST): test-retest reliability

This study aimed to investigate the test–retest reliability of a Mandarin Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST), in a Chinese population. Parents in a school based study on the prevalence of ASC in mainland China were asked to complete a second version of the CAST approximately 2–4 months after first completion. Test retest data were available from 70 children (questionnaires completed by the same parent). Using a cut-off score of 15, the test–retest reliability was good (kappa = 0.64). The test–retest reliability in three categories (≤11, 12–14, ≥15) was moderate (weighted kappa = 0.53). The correlation between the scores at CAST-1 and CAST-2 was good (Spearman rho = 0.73). The Mandarin CAST demonstrated moderate to good test–retest reliability as a screening instrument for ASC in an assessment sample in mainland China.