A Test Review: Gilliam, J. E. (2014). "Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition (GARS-3)." Austin, TX: Pro-Ed

The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition (GARS-3) is a norm-referenced tool designed to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in individuals between the ages of 3 and 22 (Gilliam, 2014). The GARS-3 test kit consists of three different components and includes an "Examiner's Manual," summary/response forms (50), and the "Instructional Objectives for Individuals Who Have Autism" booklet. The "Examiner's Manual" contains administration procedures, scoring/interpretation procedures, and technical information related to the GARS-3. Summary/response forms are completed by the examiner and contain information related to the examinee's demographic information, responses to items on the GARS-3, and information pertinent to the diagnosis of an ASD. Finally, the "Instructional Objectives for Individuals Who Have Autism" booklet can be used to help parents and professionals to develop instructional goals and behavioral interventions based on the findings of the GARS-3 (Gilliam, 2014). The GARS-3 is composed of six different subscales and 58 Likert-type items. Overall, the GARS-3 has made significant strides from earlier editions of the instrument and currently offers an easy-to-use rating scale that can be used to screen for autism or contribute to an autism evaluation. The instrument has also been constructed on up-to-date definitions of autism and includes a booklet of instructional goals to help link assessment to intervention (Gilliam, 2014). The GARS-3 is also psychometrically sound overall; however, it is recommended that examiners use caution when using the GARS-3 to assess individuals between 20 and 22 as well as individuals from minority groups.