title: Using the M-CHAT-R/F to Identify Developmental Concerns in a High-Risk 18-Month-Old Sibling Sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the high autism spectrum disorder (ASD) recurrence risk in younger siblings, it is important to identify early ASD markers within this high-risk population. Although there is increasing evidence that the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised, with Follow-Up Interview can identify many low-risk children during the second year of life, there has yet to be a study of how the M-CHAT-R/F functions in a high-risk sibling population at very young ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a larger population-based study, the authors screened 74 infant siblings with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised, with Follow-Up Interview at 18 months and assessed diagnoses between the ages of 18 and 43 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The M-CHAT-R/F had the highest positive predictive value for identifying children at risk of any developmental concern (i.e., ASD, language delay). Overall, 33% of siblings who presented for follow-up evaluations received ASD diagnoses with an additional 22% showing other developmental concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Failing the M-CHAT-R/F at 18 months of age raises significant concern that a child will show some degree of developmental difference or delay over time. These findings highlight the need for close developmental monitoring of this high-risk sample.
authors.affiliation: *Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nashville, TN; †Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; ‡Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; §Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT; ‖Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Weitlauf
authors.forename: Alison C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vehorn
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fein
authors.forename: Zachary E
authors.initials: ZE
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012306:Risk; D035781:Siblings
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers