BACKGROUND: Two strategies have been proposed for early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD): (1) using a general screening tool followed by an ASD-specific screening tool for those who screen positive on the former or (2) using an ASD-specific tool for all children. The relative yield of these two strategies has not been examined. OBJECTIVES: This study compared the number of children identified at risk for ASD at their well child visits between the ages of 18 and 30 months using a general developmental screening tool and an autism-specific screening tool. METHODS: The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) was used as the general developmental screening tool and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was used as the autism-specific tool. These tools were administered concurrently to 152 children. RESULTS: Cross tabulations and chi tests were used to determine the utility of the PEDS as the first step of a two-part screen for ASD. Of those who screened positive for developmental concerns on the PEDS (n = 38), 16% screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT; of those who did not screen positive for developmental concerns on the PEDS (n = 114), 14% screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT (p = .79). CONCLUSION: The PEDS missed the majority of children who screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT, suggesting that these two tools tap into very different domains of developmental concerns. The findings support the use of an ASD-specific tool for all children in conjunction with regular standardized developmental screening.
BACKGROUND: Two strategies have been proposed for early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD): (1) using a general screening tool followed by an ASD-specific screening tool for those who screen positive on the former or (2) using an ASD-specific tool for all children. The relative yield of these two strategies has not been examined. OBJECTIVES: This study compared the number of children identified at risk for ASD at their well child visits between the ages of 18 and 30 months using a general developmental screening tool and an autism-specific screening tool. METHODS: The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) was used as the general developmental screening tool and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was used as the autism-specific tool. These tools were administered concurrently to 152 children. RESULTS: Cross tabulations and chi tests were used to determine the utility of the PEDS as the first step of a two-part screen for ASD. Of those who screened positive for developmental concerns on the PEDS (n = 38), 16% screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT; of those who did not screen positive for developmental concerns on the PEDS (n = 114), 14% screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT (p = .79). CONCLUSION: The PEDS missed the majority of children who screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT, suggesting that these two tools tap into very different domains of developmental concerns. The findings support the use of an ASD-specific tool for all children in conjunction with regular standardized developmental screening.
Authors: Gayle C Windham; Karen S Smith; Nila Rosen; Meredith C Anderson; Judith K Grether; Richard B Coolman; Stephen Harris Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2014-07
Authors: Karin T Beuker; Synnve Schjølberg; Kari Kveim Lie; Sophie Swinkels; Nanda N J Rommelse; Jan K Buitelaar Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Maurice A Feldman; Rebecca A Ward; Danielle Savona; Kaleigh Regehr; Kevin Parker; Melissa Hudson; Henderika Penning; Jeanette J A Holden Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2012-01