The ASEBA DSM-oriented scales were initially developed by having experts from many societies identify ASEBA problem items that they judged to be very consistent with DSM-IV diagnostic categories. In order to revise the DSM-oriented scales on the basis of DSM-5 categories, 58 experts from 30 societies rated ASEBA problem items as being not consistent, somewhat consistent, or very consistent with DSM-5 diagnostic categories that had undergone changes from DSM-IV categories relevant to the DSM-oriented scales.
The relevant DSM-5 categories included Autism Spectrum Disorder (which replaced DSM-IV Pervasive Developmental Disorders); anxiety disorder categories, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, and Social Anxiety Disorder (which replaced DSM-IV Social Phobia); and Somatic Symptom Disorder (which replaced DSM-IV Somatoform Disorder and Somatization Disorder). CBCL/1½-5 and C-TRF items were rated by experts knowledgeable about psychopathology at ages 1½-5, while CBCL/6-18, TRF, and YSR items were rated by experts knowledgeable about ages 6-18, and ASR and ABCL items were rated by experts knowledgeable about ages 18-59.
The 58 experts included 19 psychiatrists, 38 psychologists, and 1 social worker, 11 of whom had both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The experts had a mean of 22.5 years of experience since receiving their first doctorate or other highest degree. All but two had published on psychopathology. The DSM-5-oriented scales for ages 1½-5, 6-18, and 18-59 were constructed using the ASEBA items that a large majority of experts identified as being very consistent with the relevant DSM-5 diagnostic categories. Achenbach (2013) presents details, plus practical and research applications of the DSM-oriented scales. The DSM-Oriented Guide (referenced below), plus DSM-5 hand-scored profiles and scoring templates can be ordered at www.aseba.org.
Reference: Achenbach, T.M. (2013). DSM-Oriented Guide for the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Research Center for Children, Youth, and Families, 38.