A preliminary study of screening for risk of autism in children with fragile X syndrome: testing two risk cut-offs for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers.
OBJECTIVE
Risk criteria for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) and modified risk criteria (i.e. the Denver Criteria) were compared in a group of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism.


METHODS
Participants were 17 children aged 2-4 years with DNA confirmation of FXS. Four children had autism and 13 children did not.


RESULTS
Preliminary findings regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the CHAT for detecting risk for autism in children with FXS are as follows: using the original CHAT risk criteria, sensitivity and specificity were 50% and 100%, respectively; and using the Denver Criteria, sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 92%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The CHAT and the Denver Criteria resulted in preliminary findings suggesting high levels of sensitivity to autism in children with FXS.
Scambler
D J
DJ
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. scambler@okstate.edu
Hepburn
S L
SL
Hagerman
R J
RJ
Rogers
S J
SJ
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity