title: Comparative analysis of three screening instruments for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers at high risk.
abstract: Several instruments have been developed to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in high-risk populations. However, few studies compare different instruments in one sample. Data were gathered from the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire, Social Communication Questionnaire, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile, Infant-Toddler Checklist and key items of the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers in 238 children (mean age = 29.6 months, SD = 6.4) at risk for ASD. Discriminative properties are compared in the whole sample and in two age groups separately (8-24 months and 25-44 months). No instrument or individual item shows satisfying power in discriminating ASD from non-ASD, but pros and cons of instruments and items are discussed and directions for future research are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Reinier Postlaan 12, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands. i.oosterling@karakter.com
authors.forename: Iris J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Oosterling
authors.forename: Sophie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Swinkels
authors.forename: Rutger Jan
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Gaag
authors.forename: Janne C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Buitelaar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007360:Intelligence; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010045:Outpatients; D010290:Parents; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires