OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine use of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) as an autism-specific screening instrument in a large, geographically diverse pediatrics-based sample. METHODS: The M-CHAT and the M-CHAT Follow-Up (M-CHAT/F) were used to screen 18,989 toddlers at pediatric well-child visits in 2 US geographic regions. Pediatricians directly referred children to ascertain potential missed screening cases. Screen-positive children received the M-CHAT/F; children who continued to screen positive after the M-CHAT/F received a diagnostic evaluation. RESULTS: Results indicated that 54% of children who screened positive on the M-CHAT and M-CHAT/F presented with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and 98% presented with clinically significant developmental concerns warranting intervention. An M-CHAT total score cutoff of ≥3 identifies nearly all screen-positive cases, and for ease of scoring the use of only the M-CHAT total score cutoff is recommended. An M-CHAT total score of 7 serves as an appropriate clinical cutoff, and providers can bypass the M-CHAT/F and refer immediately to evaluation and intervention if a child obtains a score of ≥7. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical support for the utility of population screening for ASD with the use of the M-CHAT in a primary care setting. Results suggest that the M-CHAT continues to be an effective screening instrument for ASD when the 2-step screening process is used. The M-CHAT is widely used at pediatric offices, and this study provides updated results to facilitate use and scoring of the M-CHAT by clinical providers.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine use of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) as an autism-specific screening instrument in a large, geographically diverse pediatrics-based sample. METHODS: The M-CHAT and the M-CHAT Follow-Up (M-CHAT/F) were used to screen 18,989 toddlers at pediatric well-child visits in 2 US geographic regions. Pediatricians directly referred children to ascertain potential missed screening cases. Screen-positive children received the M-CHAT/F; children who continued to screen positive after the M-CHAT/F received a diagnostic evaluation. RESULTS: Results indicated that 54% of children who screened positive on the M-CHAT and M-CHAT/F presented with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and 98% presented with clinically significant developmental concerns warranting intervention. An M-CHAT total score cutoff of ≥3 identifies nearly all screen-positive cases, and for ease of scoring the use of only the M-CHAT total score cutoff is recommended. An M-CHAT total score of 7 serves as an appropriate clinical cutoff, and providers can bypass the M-CHAT/F and refer immediately to evaluation and intervention if a child obtains a score of ≥7. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical support for the utility of population screening for ASD with the use of the M-CHAT in a primary care setting. Results suggest that the M-CHAT continues to be an effective screening instrument for ASD when the 2-step screening process is used. The M-CHAT is widely used at pediatric offices, and this study provides updated results to facilitate use and scoring of the M-CHAT by clinical providers.
Authors: Juhi Pandey; Alyssa Verbalis; Diana L Robins; Hilary Boorstein; A M I Klin; Tammy Babitz; Katarzyna Chawarska; Fred Volkmar; James Green; Marianne Barton; Deborah Fein Journal: Autism Date: 2008-09
Authors: David S Mandell; Knashawn H Morales; Ming Xie; Lindsay J Lawer; Aubyn C Stahmer; Steven C Marcus Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2010-08 Impact factor: 3.084
Authors: Jamie M Kleinman; Diana L Robins; Pamela E Ventola; Juhi Pandey; Hilary C Boorstein; Emma L Esser; Leandra B Wilson; Michael A Rosenthal; Saasha Sutera; Alyssa D Verbalis; Marianne Barton; Sarah Hodgson; James Green; Thyde Dumont-Mathieu; Fred Volkmar; Katarzyna Chawarska; Ami Klin; Deborah Fein Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2008-05
Authors: Suzanne L Macari; Grace C Wu; Kelly K Powell; Scuddy Fontenelle; Deanna M Macris; Katarzyna Chawarska Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2018-04
Authors: Amy S Weitlauf; Alison C Vehorn; Wendy L Stone; Deborah Fein; Zachary E Warren Journal: J Dev Behav Pediatr Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 2.225