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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study validates the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F), a screening tool for low-risk toddlers, and demonstrates improved utility compared with the original M-CHAT.
METHODS: Toddlers (N = 16 071) were screened during 18- and 24-month well-child care visits in metropolitan Atlanta and Connecticut. Parents of toddlers at risk on M-CHAT-R completed follow-up; those who continued to show risk were evaluated.
RESULTS: The reliability and validity of the M-CHAT-R/F were demonstrated, and optimal scoring was determined by using receiver operating characteristic curves. Children whose total score was ≥3 initially and ≥2 after follow-up had a 47.5% risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.41–0.54) and a 94.6% risk of any developmental delay or concern (95% CI: 0.92–0.98). Total score was more effective than alternative scores. An algorithm based on 3 risk levels is recommended to maximize clinical utility and to reduce age of diagnosis and onset of early intervention. The M-CHAT-R detects ASD at a higher rate compared with the M-CHAT while also reducing the number of children needing the follow-up. Children in the current study were diagnosed 2 years younger than the national median age of diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The M-CHAT-R/F detects many cases of ASD in toddlers; physicians using the 2-stage screener can be confident that most screen-positive cases warrant evaluation and referral for early intervention. Widespread implementation of universal screening can lower the age of ASD diagnosis by 2 years compared with recent surveillance findings, increasing time available for early intervention.
- ASD —
- autism spectrum disorder
- CI —
- confidence interval
- GSU —
- Georgia State University
- M-CHAT —
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
- M-CHAT/F —
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers with Follow-up
- M-CHAT-R —
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised
- M-CHAT-R/F —
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up
- PPV —
- positive predictive value
- STAT —
- Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds
- UConn —
- University of Connecticut
- WCC —
- well-child care
- Accepted October 21, 2013.
- Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
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