The Cognitive Flexibility Scale for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Turkish Adaptation and Validation Study

Abstract

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to adapt the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into Turkish and to examine its psychometric properties, specifically its structural validity and internal consistency. Methods The study initially involved a sample of 303 parents of students diagnosed with ASD. After data screening for outliers, the final analyses were conducted on a sample of 298 participants. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate the factor structure of the Turkish version of the CFS. Internal consistency was assessed to determine the scale’s reliability. Results The initial CFA, which tested the original scale’s factor structure, demonstrated a poor model fit and unacceptable reliability. Several items had factor loadings below the 0.30 threshold. Following the removal of one subscale based on item loadings and model fit indices, a subsequent analysis of a revised 4-factor, 22-item structure yielded satisfactory fit indices and high internal consistency. Conclusion The findings suggest that the adapted 4-factor, 22-item Turkish version of the CFS demonstrates satisfactory structural validity and high internal consistency, making it a valid and reliable instrument for assessing cognitive flexibility (CF) in individuals with ASD as reported by their parents in a Turkish context.