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Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Screening strategies for autism spectrum disorders in pediatric primary care

Jennifer A Pinto-Martin1, Lisa M Young, David S Mandell

  • 1Biobehavioral and Health Sciences Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. pinto@nursing.upenn.edu

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|October 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Using a general developmental screening tool first misses many children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An autism-specific screening tool for all children is recommended alongside standard developmental screening.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Child Psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Two strategies exist for early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification: a two-step approach using general then ASD-specific screening, or an ASD-specific tool for all children.
  • The comparative effectiveness of these early identification strategies has not been previously examined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This study aimed to compare the yield of children identified at risk for ASD between 18 and 30 months of age using a general developmental screening tool versus an autism-specific screening tool.

Main Methods:

  • The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) served as the general screening tool.
  • The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was employed as the autism-specific screening tool.
  • Both tools were administered concurrently to 152 children.

Main Results:

  • When PEDS identified developmental concerns (n=38), 16% also screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT.
  • When PEDS did not identify developmental concerns (n=114), 14% still screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT (p = .79).
  • The PEDS failed to identify the majority of children who screened positive for ASD on the M-CHAT.

Conclusions:

  • The PEDS and M-CHAT appear to assess different developmental domains.
  • Findings suggest that an ASD-specific tool is necessary for all children.
  • Routine developmental screening should incorporate an autism-specific tool for comprehensive early identification of ASD.
Abstract

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