title: Performance of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers in Spanish-speaking patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare abnormal screening rates of 2 different Spanish versions of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) in US Spanish-speaking patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental design was used with historical and English language controls. Abnormal screening rates were compared between Spain and Western-hemisphere Spanish versions, as well as to English controls during the same time periods using chi square analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  M-CHAT questionnaires were scored from 589 subjects (English n = 415, Spanish n = 174). There was little difference between Spanish versions. Overall, the Spanish abnormal screening rate was double that of English (23.6% vs 11.3%, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spanish M-CHAT questionnaires are abnormal more often than those in English even after changing to appropriate translation, despite lower prevalence of autism in Latinos. Issues with translation, interpretation, or cultural understanding of behaviors may contribute. Given abnormal screening rates for Latinos, the use of the M-CHAT follow-up interview in Spanish-speaking patients is beneficial but may be more time-consuming.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA kkimple@unch.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kimple
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Erica A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bartelt
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wysocki
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D057189:Checklist; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Latino; Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT); Spanish; autism; screening