Comparative analysis of three screening instruments for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers at high risk.
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.
Oosterling
Iris J
IJ
Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Reinier Postlaan 12, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands. i.oosterling@karakter.com
Swinkels
Sophie H
SH
van der Gaag
Rutger Jan
RJ
Visser
Janne C
JC
Dietz
Claudine
C
Buitelaar
Jan K
JK
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